ADVANCED ECO ACCREDITATION FOR SILKY OAKS LODGE
Wednesday, 8 February 2006
ADVANCED ECO ACCREDITATION FOR SILKY OAKS LODGE
Ecotourism Australia has awarded yet another Voyages property "Advanced Certification", endorsing the economic, environmental and social tourism practices of Voyages Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa.
The property and its world famous spa join Cradle Mountain Lodge, Ayers Rock Resort, Heron and Wilson Islands, Longitude 131, and Odyssey Tours and Safaris as operations who have received the highest possible accreditation under the internationally recognised program.
According to Voyages CEO Grant Hunt, accreditation under Ecotourism Australia's "ecoCERTIFIED" program is an important and welcome achievement for Voyages and their collection of remote wilderness tourism operations.
"The Voyages philosophy demands that we employ policies and practices endorsed by Ecotourism Australia and we were delighted to learn that Silky Oaks Lodge also passed the strict assessment criteria," said Mr Hunt.
Voyages Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa is adjacent to the World Heritage listed wilderness of the Daintree Rainforest. Tours with Australian Wilderness Experience (AWE), as well as the Twilight River Cruise and Mossman Gorge Walk all received the highest possible rating.
In order to achieve Advanced Certification from Ecotourism Australia the property and tours had to demonstrate practices that matched 10 key principles of economic, environmental and social sustainability, through a rigorous submission process.
Voyages Silky Oaks Lodge demonstrated excellent business management and operational planning, business ethics, responsible marketing, high levels of customer satisfaction, a natural area focus, environmental sustainability, interpretation and education programs, contribution to conservation, close ties with the local community, and cultural respect and sensitivity.
Assessment of the property was conducted by an independent trained Assessor who reviewed and scored the properties. The Assessor's report was then considered by Ecotourism Australia's Assessment Panel.
Voyages is an Australian travel company, providing experience-based holidays in spectacular wilderness locations including the Red Centre, Queensland, The Kimberley and Tasmania. Voyages operate award-winning properties such as Ayers Rock Resort, Longitude 131°, Lizard Island, Silky Oaks Lodge and Cradle Mountain Lodge.