Northern Rivers Rail Trail earns Sustainable Tourism Accreditation

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail has offcially been accredited as a sustainable tourism business under the Australian Tourism Industry Council’s (ATIC) Quality Tourism Framework (QTF) program. This recognition underscores Tweed Shire Council’s dedication to delivering exceptional and sustainable tourism experiences while setting a new standard for regional tourism in Australia.

The Sustainable

Tourism Accreditation, the largest and longestrunning sustainability program in the Australian tourism industry, integrates best practices across environmental, cultural, social, and commercial operations.

The Rail Trail joins over 3,000 businesses nationwide participating in the program.

A Milestone for Tweed Shire

Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry celebrated the achievement as a signifcant step forward for regional tourism:

“This accreditation is testament to our commitment to sustainable tourism and a thriving local economy. It refects our ongoing efforts to enhance visitor experiences while adhering to the highest standards of environmental and business responsibility.”

This accreditation marks the frst Councilmanaged tourism product in the region to earn this recognition and aligns with the goals of the Tweed Shire Council’s Destination Management Plan (DMP).

“The Rail Trail’s success demonstrates our dedication to excellence in tourism and responsible destination management. We hope this achievement inspires other regional initiatives to pursue similar recognition,” Cr Cherry added.

Quality Tourism Framework (QTF) Accreditation Levels

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail has achieved certifcation at two levels:

• Level 1 – Quality Tourism Essentials Establishes reliable and sustainable business practices, building customer confdence and supporting proftable tourism.

• Level 2 – Sustainable Tourism

Focuses on creating high-quality, engaging visitor experiences aligned with global trends in experiential tourism. This ensures visitors enjoy memorable and impactful experiences while preserving the natural environment.

Promoting Sustainable Tourism

The Rail Trail will prominently display the Quality Tourism Brandmark (QTB) across all promotional materials, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and quality for both residents and visitors. Tweed Shire

Council will collaborate with ATIC and engage in on-site assessments by expert inspectors to maintain these high standards over time. This milestone achievement supports the Tweed Shire Council’s vision outlined in its Destination Management Plan 2024-2030 (DMP), which prioritizes sustainable tourism and responsible destination management. For more information about Tweed Shire Council’s tourism initiatives, visit the Tweed Destination Management Plan 2024-2030 (DMP).