South Australia Quality Tourism For peace of mind choose a quality assured tourism business

T-QUAL

This website features T-QUAL endorsed tourism products and experiences that participate in the quality assurance programs administered by the South Australian Tourism Industry Council.

The T-QUAL tick is the national symbol recognising those tourism accreditation, rating and certification programs which meet the national quality assurance standards - this includes the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP); Ecotourism Certification and Respecting Our Culture Certification.

The T-QUAL tick and these individual quality assurance programs are your assurance that your expectations will be met.

T-QUAL aims to raise consumer awareness of the quality assurance programs that operate within Australian tourism.  T-QUAL highlight those tourism operators that make a verified commitment to meeting quality standards including independent onsite inspections.

*Please note:  All bookings made through this website are direct with the operator.

Australian Tourism Accreditation Program

The Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP) certifies tourism businesses that meet specific quality assurance criteria ensuring they are committed to exceeding consumer expectations with great customer service and the highest standards of business practice. All ATAP accredited businesses undertake regular onsite audits to ensure compliance.

To be ATAP accredited businesses must complete the following:

• Licences & Permits: Ensures the business has all the required licences and permits.
• Insurance Details: Ensures the business has all required coverage inc. at least $10million in public liability insurance.
• Customer Service:  Business must have documented customer service procedures, booking and cancellation policies and customer feedback processes.
• Business Operating Systems: Ensures business has detailed & proactive operating systems ie: maintenance, health and safety and cleaning schedules.
• Human Resource Management: Ensure management complies with legislation relating to employing staff along with comprehensive ongoing training and skill development.
• Risk Management: Business must demonstrate documentation and Implementation of risk management plans, as well as emergency and evacuation procedures.
• Economic Sustainability and Financial Systems: Ensures business complies with accounting standards Up-to-date record keeping and complies with consumer laws..
• Environmental Management: business must demonstrate a documented and practical commitment to sustainable environmental practices.
• Code of Practice: Business must sign industry code of ethics.

Ecotourism

Tourism operators in Australia who have their tour, attraction or accommodation accredited under the ECO Certification Program can genuinely claim to provide authentic ecotourism product

Ecotourism Australia's ECO Certification is a globally recognised program that provides certification based on business, environmental, social & cultural sustainability.

Businesses can achieve three levels of Ecotourism Certification:

Nature Tourism

The tourism experience takes place in a natural area and leaves minimal impact on the environment.

Ecotourism

The tourism experience takes place in a natural area and offers interesting ways to learn about the environment the business uses resources wisely, contributes to the conservation of the environment and helps local communities.

Advanced Ecotourism

The tourism experience is one of Australia's leading and most innovative ecotourism products, provides an opportunity to learn about the environment and is also committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities.

To achieve Ecotourism certification a business must complete the following:

• Business Management and Operational Planning
• Business Ethics
• Responsible Marketing
• Customer Satisfaction
• Natural Area and/or Cultural Focus
• Environmental Management
• Interpretation and Education
• Contribution to Conservation
• Working with Local Communities
• Cultural Respect and Sensitivity

Ecotourism certified accommodation

Ecotourism certified attractions

Ecotourism certified tours

Respecting Our Culture

The Respecting Our Culture (ROC) Program was developed by industry and Aboriginal Tourism Australia (ATA).  Ecotourism Australia's ROC certification ensures certified tourism experiences meet professional and sustainable standards and operate with respect for Indigenous cultural heritage.

To be ROC certified businesses must complete the following:

• Business Management and Operational Planning
• Business Ethics
• Responsible Marketing
• Customer Satisfaction
• Natural Area and/or Cultural Focus
• Environmental Management
• Interpretation and Education
• Contribution to Conservation
• Working with Local Communities
• Cultural Respect and Sensitivity

 Respecting Our Culture certified tours

Climate Action Certification

Climate Action Certified businesses have a verified commitment to sustainable business practices and to addressing climate change by reducing their level of carbon emissions.

The Climate Action Certification Program was developed by Climate Action Australia, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the South Australian Tourism Commission. It is designed for all sectors of the tourism industry and for aligned businesses both large and small

Tourism businesses can achieve three different levels of Climate Action Certification:

Climate Action Business 

Businesses have undertaken a set of adaption and emissions reduction actions but are not necessarily measuring their carbon footprint.

Climate Action Innovator

Businesses have undertaken a set of adaption and emissions reduction actions and are auditing and measuring their carbon footprint.

Climate Action Leader

Businesses have incorporated strategic climate change responses across all relevant levels of business planning and operations. They are measuring and auditing their carbon footprint via a credible system and have undertaken an advanced level of adaptation, emissions reduction and offsetting actions and are working towards becoming carbon neutral.

To become Climate Action Certified businesses must complete the following:

• Business Details: Outline business details, ethics and insurance policies to cover extreme natural events.
• Business Relationships and Communications: Includes details for staff, volunteers, customers and business partners, including ways to adapt new attitudes and behaviours via changes in products, services and marketing.
• Business Operations: Considers all areas of business operation including building design and redevelopment activities, energy sources, water use, waste, transport and risk management.
• Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation: Considers business vulnerability to extreme natural events caused by climate change and how businesses adapt to minimise the impact of climate change on the business.
• Reducing Greenhouse Emissions: Considers overall emissions assessment of the business, ways to reduce emissions (without any formal assessment) and looks at emissions offsetting activities.
• Innovative Best Practice: Additional points towards the advanced levels of certification can be gained via a demonstration of innovative best practices above and beyond the criteria used in this program.

Only T-QUAL endorsed Climate Action Certified businesses are displayed on this website. 

Climate Action certified accommodation

Climate Action certified attractions

Climate Action certified tours

SA Tourism Awards

The South Australian Tourism Awards cover all types of tourism experiences, from five star international hotels to bed and breakfasts, festivals, events and wineries. 

The Awards recognise the most outstanding tourism experiences in South Australia with a passion and commitment to excellence and innovation.

Only T-QUAL endorsed SA Tourism Award winners and medallists will display the T-QUAL logo on this website. 

Entrants must meet criteria on the following areas:

Product – general overview

Business Planning – financial viability, risk

Marketing – strategies, responsible depictions of experiences

Customer Service – training skill development, customers with special needs

Sustainability and innovation – environment, culture, community, business improvement