#Thoughtfultravel

Responsible adventures in the Blue Mountains

Conserving fragile environments like the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area requires a united front: industry partners, our guides, staff and guests can all do their bit to protect this wonderful natural asset.

By joining one of our adventures, you're supporting one of the most carbon friendly ways to experience the Blue Mountains wilderness.

Our commitment and initiatives – jump to a section:
Advanced Ecotourism Certifications
Reconciliation Action Plan
Thoughtful Travel Charter
Leave No Trace Commitment
Thoughtful Travel Booklet

Awarded highest level of certification from Ecotourism Australia

Our entire range of active tours are awarded certifications in all three programs by Ecotourism Australia and included in the prestigious Green Travel Guide:

✔️ Advanced Ecotourism Certification,
✔️ Respecting our Culture Certification, and
✔️ Climate Action Business Certification.

This certification is through Ecotourism Australia’s world leading ecotourism certification program, which are recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). This means that when you travel with us, you are supporting a business that is backed by a strong, well-managed commitment to sustainable practices and provides high-quality nature-based tourism experiences.

Our certification demonstrates our commitment to:

Looking after our natural environment
Offering quality interpretation and educating guests
Supporting and engaging our local community
Reducing our carbon footprint
Protecting our unique wildlife and endangered species
Making real contributions to conservation
Helping to preserve Australian Indigenous cultures
Providing an unforgettable, high-quality guest experience

Sustainable Operations & Practices

Blue Mountains Adventure Company is dedicated to building a sustainable travel business where environmental, social and ethical considerations are key to our decision-making processes.

We are deeply committed to thoughtful travel and true sustainability on all our adventure tours. This commitment has been at our core since inception, and in today's environmental climate, it's more vital than ever. We strive to preserve the natural beauty and cultural richness of our destinations for generations to come, a vision achievable only through the support of our travellers and partners.

Reconciliation Action Plan

Some of the ways in which we support and respect the First Nation peoples is demonstrated through our Reconciliation Action Plan.

What is a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?

A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a strategic framework designed to help organisations contribute to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.

It is a commitment to building respectful relationships, creating meaningful opportunities, and addressing inequalities that have historically existed.

Through our RAP, collectively developed by the divisions under the World Expeditions Travel Group, we aspire to create lasting connections and work together towards a more equitable and inclusive future.

Why are we doing this?

We hold a strong belief in the importance of building bridges and nurturing a sense of community in everything we do.

We recognise that the histories, cultures, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are an integral part of our nation's identity.

By embarking on this journey of reconciliation, we are taking an active step towards acknowledging past injustices, promoting cultural understanding, and creating a more inclusive environment for all.

What are we planning to do and how will we implement it?

We have discerned a multitude of strategic avenues through which our organisation can actively cultivate connections, promote mutual respect, pinpoint prospects, and establish robust governance and monitoring mechanisms.

Our endeavours are within four pivotal areas of focus:
- Relationships
- Respect
- Opportunities
- Governance

It provides the cornerstone which we can firmly ground our ongoing dedication to the cause of reconciliation.

View the World Expeditions Travel Group Reconciliation Action Plan to learn more.

Thoughtful Travel Charter

In addition to the above, below are some of our industry-leading initiatives and commitments:

Advocate for active travel where the health benefits, both physical and mental, are transformative

Respect the environments where our adventures take place, with genuine sustainable practices and conservation efforts that deliver a positive impact

Be a force for our travellers to support communities in delivering local employment, friendship and fostering cultural tolerance

Respect the traditions of the First Nation people working in partnership to promote education of cultural heritage

Protect the vulnerable, including women and children, in avoiding any tourism practice that may harm them

Respect animals in their wild habitat from a distance and without disturbance

Engage with experienced guides who foster our ethos for sustainable practices and conservation

Minimise waste and eliminate single use plastics

Deliver carbon neutral adventures for our travellers

Lend a hand in mobilising fundraising for important humanitarian, environmental and educational causes

Aim to integrate ‘regenerative’ programs into our global operations by 2030

Leave No Trace Commitment

We also have strict minimal impact guidelines in place, following the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, an international organisation that has set the global standard for outdoor ethics. We support their philosophy to encourage travellers to take only photos and leave only footprints.

The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace:

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimise Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Your Hosts and Other Visitors

Become a more Thoughtful Traveller

In 2000, our parent company World Expeditions printed the Responsible Travel Guidebook, presenting a comprehensive set of sustainable travel policies. It was pioneering, and earned them the WWF Environmental Achievement Award from the Australian National Travel Industry.

Over the years the booklet has evolved to meet the ever-changing landscape of sustainable travel. It's latest release, The Thoughtful Traveller booklet, is an easy to read document that empowers travellers with ideas on how they can be part of the solution and collectively make the world a better place when they travel.