Rail Trail sustainability accolade

THE Northern Rivers Rail Trail has earned another accolade after gaining official accreditation as a sustainable tourism business.

Under the Australian Tourism Industry Council’s (ATIC) Quality Tourism Framework (QTF) program, the NSW Tourism Association is licensed by ATIC to provide accreditation for NSW businesses.

Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry said it was a testament to the Council’s commitment to sustainable tourism and a thriving local economy.

“We are excited as this is the first Council-managed product in our region to earn this accreditation,” Cr Cherry said.

“The Rail Trail’s success supports the goals of Tweed Shire Council’s broader Destination Management Plan, prioritising sustainable tourism and responsible destination management.

“This accomplishment demonstrates our dedication to excellence in tourism, and we hope it encourages other regional initiatives to reach for similar recognition.”

The Rail Trail is now among more than 3,000 participating businesses in the Australian tourism industry’s most extensive and longest-running sustainability program.

Accredited businesses demonstrate sustainability across environmental, cultural, social and commercial business practices.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail has successfully met the standards of the QTF at two levels. The foundational Quality Tourism Essentials equips businesses with the tools and resources to establish reliable, consistent, sustainable practices.

The advanced Sustainable Tourism level helps businesses create high-quality, engaging visitor experiences that align with the global trend toward experiential tourism.

The Rail Trail will display the Quality Tourism Brandmark (QTB) certification across all promotional materials. The Council will collaborate with ATIC in on-site assessments to ensure continued adherence to the standards.