YHA Australia has achieved a historic milestone by being the first accommodation network globally to certify all properties with Ecotourism Australia. As of January, each of the 18 YHA properties has received either ECO or Sustainable Tourism Certification, marking a significant accomplishment in sustainable tourism.

This certification underscores YHA Australia’s commitment to sustainable practices, environmental responsibility, socio-economic impact, and cultural involvement. Elissa Keenan, CEO of Ecotourism Australia, commended YHA for establishing a new benchmark in the sector, stating, “YHA Australia’s certification journey demonstrates the power of embedding sustainability across their entire portfolio.”

The certification process requires compliance with over 200 criteria across four sustainability pillars, supplemented by initial and periodic independent audits for continued adherence. YHA’s Sustainable Properties Fund supports initiatives like renewable energy adaptations, water-saving measures, and waste management, notably removing plastic bottled water.

Paul McGrath, CEO of YHA Australia, emphasized the significance of alignment with traveler values, declaring, “Ecotourism Australia’s certification gives us a globally recognized standard to apply uniformly across our network, which is a distinct competitive benefit for YHA.”

The certified properties include locations such as YHA Apollo Bay Eco and YHA Grampians Eco in Victoria, as well as YHA Sydney Harbour in New South Wales. McGrath will elaborate on YHA’s sustainable model at the Global Sustainable Tourism Summit on the Gold Coast in June.

This accomplishment not only benefits YHA’s reputation but also positions it as a pioneer in sustainable tourism, assuring travelers of their environmentally friendly choices.