The program was launched early this year by the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) and provides a straightforward pathway and support to help tourism businesses reduce their carbon footprints.
“The Tourism Emission Reduction Commitment program is a critical step in ensuring the long-term sustainability of Victoria’s tourism industry,” said VTIC CEO Felicia Mariani.
“As visitors become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, it is vital that our industry adapts to meet this growing expectation.
“This initiative not only benefits our environment, but also strengthens the reputation of Victorian tourism on the global stage.”
The initiative is designed to work for businesses at any stage of their carbon reduction journey – including those who are just starting out – and to be accessible to those who don’t have in-depth knowledge of carbon emissions.
The program provides operators with the opportunity to benchmark their carbon footprint against industry standards and provides official recognition and certification which businesses can use to communicate their participation and carbon reduction efforts to their customers.
Support available to the program’s participants includes monthly online sessions and personalised one-on-one support.
Having partnered with ATIC on the emissions reduction program, VTIC will now play a crucial role in delivering TERC in the state. The program is free to join for Victorian operators who are VTIC Quality Tourism Business members.
Around 150 tourism operators around Australia have joined the program since it was announced in March, of which 10 per cent are Victorian based businesses.
VTIC is hosting an online session on August 29 to share more information about the program.
