At The Tour Collective Group we’re committed to minimising our impact on the planet – on the water and on the ground – so that future generations can continue to experience the wonder of our waterways and oceans and the unique wildlife that inhabit them.
SUSTAINABILITY
Valuing our planet
Advanced eco-tourism
Sea World Cruises is certified through Ecotourism Australia’s world-leading ecotourism certification program. This means that when you travel with us, you are supporting a business that is backed by a strong, well-managed commitment to sustainable practices and provides high-quality nature-based tourism experiences.
Our certification demonstrates our commitment to:
- Looking after our natural environment
- Offering quality interpretation and educating guests
- Supporting and engaging our local community
- Reducing our carbon footprint
- Protecting our unique wildlife and endangered species
- Making real contributions to conservation
- Helping to preserve Australian Indigenous cultures
- Providing an unforgettable, high-quality guest experience
The Ecotourism Australia Certification programs are recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Container Exchange Recycling Program
Sea World Cruises participates in the Containers for Change container recycling program. Since 2021, more than 28,000 eligible containers have been diverted from landfills and given a new life as new drink containers, road bases, food trays, building materials, and more.
As part of this great initiative, 10c from every eligible container is donated to a charity of choice. All funds raised by Sea World Cruises are currently donated to the Gold Coast Newborn Calf Study, a non-profit organisation dedicated to understanding, protecting, and conserving Humpback Whales for future generations through research and conservation activities.
Commercial Food Waste Recycling Program
In the hospitality industry, a staggering 50% of waste comes from food disposal. Taking a proactive stance, The Tour Collective Group has been actively engaged in the City of Gold Coast’s Commercial Food Waste Recycling Program since 2021.
Through this innovative initiative, we are redirecting organic food waste away from overburdened landfills. Instead, our kitchen waste undergoes a transformative journey, being recycled into nutrient-rich compost. This compost, in turn, becomes a valuable resource, nurturing the greenery of our local parks and gardens.
Reducing our Carbon Footprint
In 2023, The Tour Collective Group achieved a significant milestone by completing its baseline carbon accounting, signalling a profound commitment to sustainability in the face of pressing environmental challenges.
This accomplishment holds particular significance in light of the escalating impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems, including iconic species like humpback whales. As rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification disrupt the delicate balance of marine habitats, humpback whales face mounting threats, from altered migration patterns to dwindling food sources.
By taking proactive steps to reduce emissions, The Tour Collective Group not only mitigates its own environmental footprint but also contributes to the broader effort to safeguard vulnerable species like humpback whales. This commitment underscores the urgent need for collective action to combat climate change and protect our oceans’ precious biodiversity for generations to come.
Contribution to Research
Griffith University – Laura Torre-Williams
From mid-June to August, humpback whale calves can be spotted in Gold Coast waters, delighting not only guests, but scientific researchers onboard our cruises.
Since 2013, Sea World Whale Watch has continued to host the Gold Coast Newborn Calf Study, led by Laura Torre-Williams from Griffith University. Laura and her team of volunteers observe newborn humpback whale calves in the Gold Coast bay, over 1000 kilometers away from their usual calving area in the Great Barrier Reef region.
The study tracks the calves’ locations, behaviours, and movements of mother-calf pairs using GPS devices fitted on Sea World Whale Watch vessels.
Laura’s findings are published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at marine conferences worldwide. The Tour Collective Group takes pride in supporting this vital research through financial and in-kind donations.
Humpbacks & High-rises
The Tour Collective is proud to help contribute to Queensland’s largest marine mammal monitoring program. Since 2019 Sea World Whale Watch and Whales in Paradise have worked closely with the volunteers from Humpbacks & High-rises (HHR) enabling their research aboard our whale-watching vessels. Designated seats on every tour are reserved for HHR volunteers who collect vital scientific data to help monitor the health, movement, and well-being of humpback whales on the east coast of Australia.
CoralWatch
CoralWatch is a citizen science program founded in 2002 that aims to create public understanding of the value of reefs and provides opportunities to actively help save the reef through participation in scientific research and education.
Each year, CoralWatch hosts a teacher Professional Development workshop onboard See Moreton, where teachers can:
- Investigate Moreton Bay corals, their importance, and environmental issues such as coral bleaching
- Utilise CoralWatch tools and curriculum-linked materials to bring the reef into their classroom
- Learn about corals on the Tangalooma Wrecks
For more information about the next CoralWatch teacher professional development onboard See Moreton, please get in touch, info@seemoreton.com.au
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