Tilma steps up our commitment to sustainable regional tourism development

We are so proud to announce that Tilma Group has become a Certified B Corporation™ or B Corp!

This independent certification affirms our commitment to protecting rural Australia’s social wellbeing and natural beauty as we support tourism development.

B Corp certification embeds our purpose and plans for positive impact in our company’s DNA, as we aim to maximise our positive impact on people and the planet.

Certified B Corporations are companies independently verified as meeting international standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. 

The ‘B’ stands for ‘benefit’ – benefitting people and the planet. B Corps envision a better economic system where profitable businesses benefit people, communities, and the planet.

“We’re very proud to join a global movement working towards a more inclusive, equitable, and fair economy. ”

Why certification?

Tilma’s focus has always been on ensuring tourism is responsible and supports Australia’s rural communities.

“We’re leading by example, aiming to inspire and empower others across the regional tourism and events industry to join us in embedding sustainable practices.”

By becoming a B Corp, we opened our business practices to independent experts who verify how we treat communities and the planet. We strive to be transparent and accountable for our impact, and adapt our practices to reflect evolving social and environmental concerns.

Aligning with the global shift in tourism 

Our certification comes at a critical time for Australia’s $211 billion tourism industry, as Queensland prepares for global attention leading up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Our certification means our tourism development work is aligned with consumer values and a broader shift in the tourism industry:

• Travellers are seeking out memorable experiences that also leave a positive benefit for the local environment and community. Booking.com’s annual sustainable travel report reveals 85% of travellers want sustainable travel experiences.

• Tourism Australia recently launched our industry’s ‘Green is Our Gold’ commitment to sustainable tourism.

• The EU’s Empowering Consumers Directive to stop greenwashing comes into effect in September, impacting how Australian tourism businesses can market to Europeans.

• Tourism and Events Queensland is currently developing a Nature-Based Tourism Strategic Approach, under development by our long time collaborator JJ Strategic Consulting with support from Tilma. 

Supporting sustainable tourism

We’re seeing regional destination managers and tourism operators prioritising long-term vibrancy and resilience where tourism builds liveability and protects natural assets.

An example is our current client, Australia’s Golden Outback, who developed the Esperance Promise to inspire visitors to make sustainable and respectful choices while travelling through Esperance / Kepa Kurl Country. Tilma is currently helping Esperance’s destination manager identify how to engage visitors with the Promise and the community’s values while they are on holiday in the region.

Our commitment to positive impact

At Tilma, we are passionate advocates for responsible tourism, and are actively looking for opportunities to do good, give back, and reduce our emissions. 

For example, we are currently working with James Cook University, our past client Noosa Shire Council, and Tourism Noosa to support destination management students learn how to embed sustainability in their work.

(See Noosa’s new community-led Destination Management Plan.) 

We also donate 1% of our profits to a Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal (FRRR) grant which helps rural communities prepare for and recover from the impacts of climate change.

Thinking about certification yourself?

As a Certified B Corporation, we’re proud to be part of a community of companies working together for change, and taking part in collective action to advocate for a shared goal of a global economy that benefits people and the planet. 

For destination managers, there are sustainable certifications by Ecotourism Australia and EarthCheck.

For tourism operators there are a few sustainable certifications available. We made understanding their differences easier in this quick overview.

We want to work with you!

We really want to support destination managers and tourism businesses that share our values.

If you are looking for tourism development support, please reach out to us.