Sustainable Practices Program: 2010 - 2011
The purpose in Territory Discoveries implementing a Sustainable Practices Program is to ensure that our current business activities have a positive impact on the environment and the communities in which we operate both now and in the future.
As part of the Tourism NT team we endorse the Environmental Commitments developed as part of the Five Year Tourism Strategic Plan 2008-2012. These include:
- Reducing Energy Consumption
- Reducing Water Consumption
- Reducing paper Consumption
- Increasing Recycling
- Reducing Travel Emissions
In addition, we recognise that there are additional areas where Territory Discoveries can influence sustainable practices. We can encourage our industry to support indigenous tourism experiences and internally we can increase low impact activities in our local offices.
Increase Sales of Indigenous Experiences
Territory Discoveries currently contracts over fifty indigenous experiences. These include products that are owned by Aboriginal people, indigenous experiences that are supported by small NT operators and operators who are accredited through Eco-Tourism Australia and their “Respect our Culture” program. Territory Discoveries aims to increase the sales of these operators by 20% in 2010-2011. These sales will support indigenous communities as they
- Protect their environment
- Preserve their culture
- Provide opportunities for employment now and in the future
Increase Positive Impact Activities at a Local Level
Territory Discoveries operates in 5 different locations across Australia. Each office has identified different activities that will make a difference on their local environment. Some activities apply in all locations, while others are customised to appeal to each team.
- Walk to Work (incentivise weekly activity)
- Keep Cups for Coffee (Sydney saves 2500 paper cups this year)
- Bike Riding Bonuses (or practical public transport alternatives).
- Volunteer (provide days off to contribute to local NFP projects)
- Vegies-at-Work (the herb-off competition)
- Solar Panels on the Sitzler (reduce energy equivalent from 22 down to 11 houses)
Next Steps
- Measure our progress
- Leverage the results
- Become industry leaders