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The Northern Rivers Rail Trail has officially earned 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 this accreditation for NSW businesses. This achievement highlights Tweed Shire Council’s commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality tourism experiences and sets a new benchmark for regional tourism standards.
Sustainable Tourism Accreditation is the Australian tourism industry’s largest and longest-running sustainability program, with the Northern Rivers Rail Trail now among more than 3,000 participating businesses. Accreditation incorporates sustainability across environmental, cultural, social and commercial business practices.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry was excited by the tick of approval.
“This accreditation is testament to our commitment to sustainable tourism and a thriving local economy,” Cr Cherry said.
“It showcases our ongoing efforts to enhance visitor experiences while adhering to best practices in business and environmental responsibility.
“We are excited as this is the first Council-managed product in our region to earn this accreditation. The Rail Trail’s success supports the goals of Tweed Shire Council’s broader Destination Management Plan (DMP), 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 Northern Rivers Rail Trail will proudly display the Quality Tourism Brandmark (QTB) certification across all promotional materials, signalling our dedication to quality and sustainable tourism to residents and visitors. Council will also collaborate closely with ATIC and engage in on-site assessments by their expert inspectors to ensure continued adherence to these high standards.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail has successfully met the standards of the Quality Tourism Framework (QTF) Sustainable Tourism accreditation at two levels:
Level 1 – Quality Tourism Essentials: This foundational level equips businesses with tools and resources to establish reliable, consistent and sustainable practices. It lays the groundwork for customer confidence and supports profitable, sustainable tourism.
Level 2 – Sustainable Tourism: This advanced level helps businesses create high-quality, engaging visitor experiences that align with the global trend toward experiential tourism. By meeting this standard, visitors are assured of memorable, impactful experiences that respect and preserve the natural surroundings.
For more information about Tweed Shire Council’s tourism initiatives and commitment to sustainability, visit The Tweed Destination Management Plan 2024-2030 (DMP).
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