Kingfisher Bay Resort wins responsible tourism award

A holiday at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Queensland’s World Heritage-listed Fraser Island doesn’t just embrace the Aussie Beach lifestyle; it embraces the principles of responsible tourism – a fact that has helped the eco-tourism resort win ‘Best Large Accommodation Provider’ at the 2008 global Responsible Tourism Awards announced in London last night.

Visitors to Fraser Island’s pristine, World Heritage-listed environment not only benefit from the serene surroundings, but the resort’s interpretative and environmental activities help guests learn about the fragile environment they’re visiting, unearth Fraser Island’s significant natural and geological features and uncover interesting Aboriginal and European histories.

Managing Director Gary Smith said Kingfisher Bay Resort’s primary focus was to give guests the chance to experience this very special island from the comfort of a world-class, environmentally friendly resort.

“This award recognises Kingfisher Bay Resort’s solid commitment to responsible tourism on Fraser Island over the past sixteen years,” he said. “The special environmental values of the resort and the sites visited by the resort’s Ranger-guided tours are one and the same – Kingfisher Bay is part of a World Heritage area – it is not a resort based outside a national park, but is an integral part of the destination.”

“It is also exciting to win a global award for green tourism today - on what is World Responsible Tourism Day,” he said. “This is a win for Queensland tourism and for all the ecotourism operators in our state.”

Initially nominated by tourists who had visited the resort, Kingfisher Bay Resort was then short-listed in its category by the Virgin Responsible Tourism judging team.

Director of The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, Justin Francis, said Kingfisher Bay Resort has been recognised in the awards for its ongoing commitment to responsible tourism.

"This large resort has been successfully managed to ensure a low environmental impact,” he said. “It also plays an active part in educating its guests about conservation.”

“In addition, it positively engages with the indigenous people enabling them to share their culture and provides essential skills training."

When the resort opened in 1992 it set worldwide benchmarks in green tourism and, according to Gary Smith, the vision and passion has always been to preserve the eco-sensitivity of the area for posterity.

“Activity-based recreation has low environmental impact and includes bush walking on designated tracks, swimming, canoeing, beach volleyball and orienteering,” he said.

“We also offer a range of daily full- and half-day educational and sight seeing tours which showcase the World Heritage-listed island.”

Accommodation choices at the resort are also green.

All buildings are below the tree line and wherever possible designed around major trees, whilst walking tracks are hardened by use of either wood chip or hardwood boardwalks.

The resort’s Centre Complex building has also been cleverly designed to use natural convection currents to warm and cool, minimising the need for air-conditioning. Energy efficiency continues into today’s operations where low energy fluorescent bulbs are used in landscape and street lighting and power to guest rooms is operated by a key shut-off system.

Mr Smith said a current major focus for the ecotourism resort going forward was carbon emissions and resultant global warming.

“We are actively looking at ways that we can educate guests about global warming through interpretive activities and are always looking for cost effective ways to reduce impact and change.”

Kingfisher Bay Resort currently holds nine Advanced Ecotourism Certifications from Ecotourism Australia. Visit kingfisherbay.com for the resort’s environmental philosophy, latest accommodation deals and island updates.