In 2018 Australia attracted a whopping 9.2 million visitors, with many of those heading directly for Brisbane. Queensland's capital city is growing in popularity year-on-year. In 2016, the city attracted more than one million visitors, a 25% increase since 2012.

However, as visitor numbers grow we are also becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability and ecotourism. Tourism cannot be allowed to destroy the area's natural beauty - after all, if it did then the tourists wouldn't want to come again.

That is why the city has pledged to ensure this is considered in the future as growing numbers descend on Brisbane's accommodation and attractions.

It's worth bearing in mind what we mean by the key terms of sustainability and ecotourism in this context - that way we can understand why they are so important.

Sustainability: "Causing little or no damage to the environment"

Ecotourism: "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education"

Queensland has had an Ecotourism Plan in place since 2016 that continues to 2020. It is responding to the challenges posed by tourism and aims to set out a fresh approach to catering for ecotourism.

The plan states the vision, guiding principle and promise are as follows:

Vision: Queensland is an internationally celebrated ecotourism destination, delivering world-class interpretation and experiences that support the conservation of special natural places and unique indigenous and cultural heritage. 

 

Guiding principle: Queensland's treasured natural and cultural assets will be protected and conserved for current and future generations to enjoy.

 

Promise: Unforgettable ecotourism experiences that exceed visitors' expectations and create lasting memories of Queensland's outstanding natural and cultural areas and unique wildlife.  

A particularly vital part of this is protecting the Great Barrier Reef. The world's largest living structure is a World Heritage Area and one of the seven natural wonders. It's no surprise that it is also one of the most popular tourist attractions on the planet. However, sadly, half the coral in the reef has died since 2016. The Commonwealth and Queensland Government's Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan therefore aims to protect the reef and ensure its future. 

The plan won't stop next year. The EcoSummit 2020 is already planned for June to keep this work going. The event, which this year is called 'Building a sustainable and desirable future: Adapting to a changing land and sea-scape' has taken place across the globe since 1996. The aim is to come together to tackle the economic, social and environmental issues which on the Gold Coast will focus specifically on coastal and marine ecosystems.  

Brisbane, however, is leading the way. It was named Australia's Most Sustainable City in both 2014 and 2015. Following on from this, the capital committed to become even more sustainable and greener by 2031 with 'Brisbane. Clean, Green, Sustainable 2017 - 2031'. Part of this involves replacing the traffic congestion with green boulevards and for the buildings to be covered in a blanket of foliage and topped with gardens. But, this isn't all, there are goals across nine themes, including: clean air, biodiversity, low carbon, sustainable CityShape, parks, green transport, waste and resource recovery, WaterSmart city and urban forest.  

It's clear that positive changes are already in place across not just Brisbane but the whole of Queensland, specifically down the Gold Coast. There's no doubt that the plans for the next few years will mean that this part of Australia's eastern coast will look very different soon - all while trying to protect and proserve what makes it popular in the first place.