Economically sustainable experiences
Economic sustainability is about creating a business that benefits both people and place, one that is profitable, fair, and community-focused. Strong local partnerships, ethical employment practices, and smart financial planning help ensure your business can adapt, innovate, and thrive over time.
This section explores three focus areas: building local supply chains, supporting workforce wellbeing and diversity, and measuring business resilience and growth. Together, these steps strengthen the economic foundations of the visitor economy and create shared prosperity across Southern NSW.
In this section:
- Building local supply chains
- Supporting workforce wellbeing and diversity
- Measuring business resilience and growth
Once you have considered these areas and identified practical steps, move on to Phase 5 – Communicate and Share Your Journey, where you will learn how to tell your sustainability story with authenticity and confidence.
This content is informed by Destination NSW’s Sustainable Tourism Resources, the Austrade Sustainable Tourism Toolkit, and the Agritourism Pathway.
In this section
Building local supply chains
Working with local suppliers, producers, and artisans strengthens the regional economy and builds resilience. Local partnerships keep more value in the community, reduce transport emissions, and create opportunities for cross-promotion. Supporting regional industries also enhances your visitor offering by connecting guests to authentic products and experiences.
Making sustainable procurement decisions ensures your purchases align with your values and reduce environmental and social impact across your supply chain. When choosing products or suppliers, consider the following checklist:
- Is the product durable, repairable, and fit for long-term use?
- Does it contain recycled, biodegradable, or low-impact materials?
- Is the packaging minimal or recyclable?
- Are suppliers transparent about their environmental and social practices?
- Is there a local supplier offering a comparable product or service?
- Are cleaning or amenity products non-toxic, low-VOC, or certified sustainable?
- Can the product be bought in bulk or offered through a refill system?
- Does the supplier offer take-back, recycling, or circular solutions?
Actions to consider:
- Source goods and services from local producers, trades, and service providers.
- Establish long-term relationships with nearby suppliers and collaborators.
- Partner with other operators to create local experience packages or itineraries.
- Promote local food, wine, and crafts as part of your visitor offering.
- Highlight your local partnerships in marketing materials and online listings.
- Diversify your offering through off-season experiences, online product sales, or collaborations with agritourism ventures to maintain year-round revenue.
How this supports the SDGs
These actions contribute to SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production. Sourcing locally and diversifying offerings, through off-season experiences, online sales, or agritourism ventures, stimulates regional economies and creates year-round employment. Supporting local producers and reducing transport impacts enhances community resilience while helping to build a stronger, more self-sufficient visitor economy. Sustainable purchasing helps reduce waste, emissions, and lifecycle costs across your business.
Supporting workforce wellbeing and diversity
A thriving business depends on a healthy, motivated, and diverse workforce. Fair wages, safe workplaces, and opportunities for growth not only improve staff retention but also contribute to the overall well-being of your community. Building an inclusive and supportive workplace culture helps attract skilled staff and demonstrates leadership in responsible business practice. Workforce diversity and well-being can also enhance adaptability during market shifts.
Actions to consider:
- Review employment conditions to ensure they meet or exceed fair work standards.
- Provide flexible, safe, and supportive working arrangements.
- Offer training and career development opportunities for staff.
- Encourage diversity and representation within your team.
- Support wellbeing through recognition, communication, and collaboration.
How this supports the SDGs
These actions advance SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 5 – Gender Equality, and SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. Prioritising staff wellbeing, fair conditions, and diversity fosters inclusive and safe workplaces where people feel valued and motivated. Supporting workforce development also increases staff retention, improves service quality, and contributes to social equity across the tourism industry.
Measuring business resilience and growth
Tracking your business performance helps you make informed decisions and demonstrate the economic value of your operations. Measuring indicators such as cost savings, local expenditure, and visitor satisfaction provides insight into how sustainability supports profitability and resilience. Regular review of these metrics helps you identify opportunities for reinvestment and continuous improvement.
Practical indicators of resilience include the percentage of total spend retained within the local area, staff retention rates, repeat visitation, and year-on-year cost savings from sustainable practices. Using digital tools such as accounting software, dashboards, or sustainability tracking templates can help record and visualise performance across these indicators.
Actions to consider:
- Record and review key business data such as revenue trends, expenses, and visitor feedback.
- Identify areas where sustainability initiatives have reduced costs or improved efficiency.
- Monitor and report local spending, employment, and community contributions.
- Use financial insights to plan long-term investments or business improvements.
- Share success stories with staff, partners, and your community.
Stay informed about government or industry grants that support sustainability innovation, workforce development, or collaborative regional projects to strengthen long-term growth.
How this supports the SDGs
These practices align with SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals. Tracking financial, social, and environmental indicators, such as local spending, staff retention, and repeat visitation, helps demonstrate how sustainability drives performance. Using digital tools to monitor and visualise these metrics supports data-driven decision-making, while engaging in funding and grant opportunities encourages collaboration and shared innovation across the regional visitor economy.
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