About eco tours

Have you ever wondered what on earth eco tours involves? Since the 1980’s it has grown rapidly in the tourism industry and many businesses are incorporating eco tours practices to conserve the environment. Through eco tours businesses, tourists become aware of the local flora, fauna, ecosystems and geology in the area they are visiting. An emphasis is placed on respecting the local community, particularly their culture, views and relationships with the land.

eco tours Certification
Campwild has recently been awarded the highest Eco Tourism certification available, ADVANCED ECO TOURISM, this is promoted by the use of the following logo.

This means that our tours have been checked by Eco Tourism Australia for their Environmental characteristics, the Advanced level applies to all our tours.

Eco Tourism Australia is a non for profit organisation responsible for checking the ECO credentials of tour companies.

When we applied for Eco Certification, we needed to totally review all of our procedures and provide a lot of information about how we respect the Environment, Local Communities and Indigenous Cultures.

This is an exhaustive process and took us several months to complete.

There are 3 levels of Certification available, as our application was very good, we received the highest level possible, ADVANCED ECO TOURISM.

There are 10 areas of business practice in which we are assesed, examples of how Campwild achieves ECO outcomes in each is provided below.

1. Business Management.

2. Business Ethics.

3. Responsible Marketing.

4. Customer Satisfaction.

5. Natural Area Focus.

6. Environmental Management.

7. Interpretation & Information

Contribution to Conservation

9. Working with Local Communities

10. Cultural Respect and Sensitivity



  1. Business Management

Economic, environmental and social sustainability is considered to be the core of management within the business. These factors are reflected in the operational procedures of the business.

An example of Campwild’s Environmental management procedures includes the use of 100% recycled office paper for all printing and brochure production, the use of email and electronic correspondence to save the wastage of paper and sourcing our electricity from wind farms and hydro resulting in the production of zero greenhouse gasses (prior to swithing to Green Power, our little office was responsible for the production of approximately 15 tonnes of greenhouse gasses per year, imagine if all businesses went green!)

  2. Business Ethics

Business Ethics involves a high level of commitment to natural area management and ecological sustainability. This includes following the codes of best practice in the eco tours industry, as well as assuring customers that all appropriate licences and permits have been obtained.

At Campwild we pride ourselves on being innovative industry leaders, not followers in business practice. We abide by National Parks and the eco tours associations code of practice. We also respect the cultural, natural and social diversity of Australia wherever the tour takes us.

Little Sahara		Dolphins		Harvey's Return

3. Responsible Marketing

A Marketing plan is a tool which tourism businesses can use to identify where its clientele are coming from and how to access and communicate to them in the most efficient way.

Campwild provides accurate and a responsible depiction of their products, ensuring customers know exactly what service they are going to receive on tour. We always ensure what we advertise, directly correlates with our tours.

  4. Customer Satisfaction

To achieve customer satisfaction businesses must meet the expectations of their clients. eco tours operators and employees should constantly seek customer feedback to increase the quality of the experience.

Campwild has acknowledged the responsibilities towards ensuring customers are satisfied. We continually conduct customer feedback surveys which are completed at the end of each tour and online. We primarily focus our tours on wildlife and strive to get away from crowds to appreciate the natural environment. We have gained this valuable feedback through our surveys.

  5. Natural Area Focus

Campwild's tours have always had a natuaral area focus, we have formalised this by gaining Ecocertification, by beinglicensed by both the National Parks in South Australia and Environment Australia, who controll Uluur, to run tours.

Our self impossed wildlife commitment on Kangaroo Island ensures that we see and experience as much native wildlife as possible.
6. Environmental Management & Minimal impact

In general the public sees eco tours as a tool which finds a unique balance to effectively minimise tourism impacts to vegetation, wildlife, soil and water as well as respecting the local people’s opinions and culture. To achieve these outcomes eco tours companies adhere to particular principles which entails how to effectively reduce waste, being less consumptive, travelling lighter and to be conscious of how one’s actions affect the locals and the environment they live in.

Campwild adheres to these principles on tour by having small group sizes, waste disposal is kept to a minimum and recycling is encouraged. Guides provide relevant information on wildlife and conservation issues, as well as informing clients of important procedures (eg: how to safely view animals). If you were to go on one of our tours, you will notice an ongoing respect towards the locals and the environment. Campwild strictly follows minimal impact guidelines relating to bushwalking, camping, snorkelling and four wheel driving. Biodiversity and Eco Codes of Practice.

7. Interpretation & Education

Ecotourists are primarily motivated by the natural environment and wish to be able to experience a true representative of an intact ecosystem. From this experience and high quality interpretation, clients will learn to appreciate how sensitive and diverse the natural environment can be. This should help them consider views regarding sustainable practices.

Campwild endorses this principle by hiring guides who have a sound knowledge in the natural environment and the sustainable practices which accompany it. All Campwild guides undergo ongoing training to ensure that high quality guiding is maintained. The guides present this information through quality interpretation on all tours. Clients are encouraged and always have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the surrounding environment whist on tour. The guides can also inform clients of sustainable practices in which they can carry out at home. Biodiversity and Eco Codes of Practice.

8. Contribution to Conservation.

A tree is planted for every tour.

In 2004 we have started this fantastic program which allows not only Campwild, but by participating on our tours, our customers, to give a little back to the environment.

Campwild has an interest in a 55 acre rural property in the Clare Valley adjacent to the Spring Gully Conservation Park, approximately 120km north of Adelaide in South Australia.

In July 2004 we placed our first order of trees with Trees for Life http://www.treesforlife.org.au/, Trees For Life are a community run organisation who supply the seeds and equipment necessary to grow native seedlings which in turn are planted, we have ordered a variety of trees, grasses and shrubs (approximately 300 plants) which are native to the Clare Valley.

During the summer of 2004 / 2005, the seedlings will be grown ready for planting mid 2005. We will be looking for volunteers to help us plant so if you are around at the time, please come and help, we’ll be providing transport and food for the day, contact Campwild on 1800 444 321 to express your interest.

Memberships.

There are many groups in Australia working hard to help protect the environment, in our own small way our directors, and therefore Campwild, contribute to this cause through memberships in the following organisations.

9. Working with Local Communities

Ongoing interaction with local communities is considered important to any eco tours business. Partnerships with local communities are encouraged as this provides opportunities for local involvement. This is essential in sustainable tourism

Campwild has recently established community links with Flinders University eco tours students. The students have been involved with helping our company to evolve its eco tours practices by providing us with up to date techniques and recommendations. This affiliation we wish to pursue further by providing industry placements. Campwild is also actively involved with other community members, such as the owners of a farm on Kangaroo Island, which is being returned to it's original stake by removing stock, re vegitating with native vegitation and encouraging of the return of wildlife. Campwild supports the Eco practices on the property by paying fees to use accommodation and access camping areas, part of the fees are used for the ongoing Eco projects.

 10. Cultural Respect and Sensitivity

eco tours embraces the natural environment as well as cultural surroundings. Cultural values are considered to be significant especially Australia’s Indigenous cultures. eco tours operators should involve some degree of consultation with the local Indigenous peoples when incorporating their culture on tours.

Throughout our trips all local cultures are respected by our guides by informing our clients of culturally sensitive people and areas. Sensitivity is shown to all Indigenous interpretation whilst on tour. We cooperate with the Lilla community at Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory. When we camp there we receive cultural information from the community members.

www.australia4tours.com

www.australia4tours.com is a division of 'Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals' the experienced and friendly Australian safari, tours, sightseeing, charter and selfdrive Specialists based in Darwin, Northern Territory Australia.

Call us now to help you organise your next tour in Australia-
Telephone within Australia 08-89453338 or International +61 8 89453338 24 hours a day.

MISSION STATEMENT

As one of the Northern Territory's leading small group safari specialists "Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals (incorporating www.australia4tours.com) , we seek out tours to some of Australia's most famous landmarks including Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kakadu National Park. From the sunny tropical Top End in it's dry and spectacular wet season's to the spiritual heart of the sandy Red Centre, from Aboriginal Culture to abundant wildlife and incredable flora - then onto Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns we have sourced an excellent range of tours for your next vacation in Australia.

Our experienced staff will help you discover the best of these unique and special tours offers across Australia with backpackers camping safaris to one day sight seeing coach trips, ecotourisim adventure camping safaris in Kakadu National Park and Uluru (Ayers Rock) from Alice Springs and Ayers Rock Resort (Uluru) in Northern Territory including learning about Aboriginal culture.