Visitor travel is often the largest source of tourism emissions. While operators cannot control how visitors travel, you can influence behaviour by promoting low-emission options and offering practical alternatives.

Actions to consider:

• Provide information on public transport, local shuttles, or community transport.
• Highlight EV charging options onsite or nearby.
• Create EV-friendly itineraries showcasing short, scenic routes.
• Offer bike hire or mapped walking trails to encourage car-free exploration.
• Promote slow travel experiences such as multi-day walks or rail-linked itineraries.
• Partner with transport providers to offer packages or ticketed bundles.

How this supports the SDGs

Supporting visitors to choose lower-carbon travel enhances the region’s sustainability credentials while contributing to SDG 13 – Climate Action and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Water conservation and responsible material use reduce costs and protect local ecosystems. Implementing efficient systems and sustainable procurement practices helps ensure resources are used effectively across your operations.

Actions to consider:

• Install water-efficient fixtures and appliances.
• Capture and reuse greywater where feasible.
• Source products and materials with minimal packaging or recycled content.
• Work with suppliers who demonstrate sustainable practices.
• Train staff to monitor and report water use and material waste.

How this supports the SDGs
Implementing water- and material-efficient practices supports SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production. By conserving water, reusing materials, and sourcing sustainable products, your business helps protect shared natural resources and reduce waste generation. These actions demonstrate responsible supply chain management and show visitors how resource-conscious operations can enhance both business performance and environmental protection across the region.

Reducing waste supports cleaner destinations and lower operational costs. Eliminating single-use plastics, improving recycling systems, and engaging visitors in litter prevention all make a visible difference to both business performance and the visitor experience. Educating visitors to act responsibly, through signage, pre-arrival information, and guided interpretation, extends sustainability beyond your business and contributes to community-wide impact

Actions to consider:

• Implement waste separation systems for recycling, composting, and landfill.
• Phase out single-use plastics and replace them with reusable options.
• Display clear signage to encourage correct waste disposal.
• Join regional litter reduction or recycling initiatives.
• Record waste volumes to measure progress and identify further opportunities.

Educate visitors on simple ways to help, such as reusing towels, refilling water bottles, recycling correctly, and respecting wildlife and natural areas.

How this supports the SDGs
Reducing waste and preventing litter aligns with SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 14 – Life Below Water, and SDG 4 – Quality Education. By eliminating single-use plastics, improving recycling, and educating visitors to reuse towels, refill bottles, and respect wildlife, you help safeguard natural habitats and waterways. Encouraging visitors to participate in your sustainability practices also raises awareness and fosters behaviour change that extends beyond their stay.

A circular economy keeps materials and resources in use for as long as possible, reducing waste and creating value through smarter design, reuse, repair, and recycling. For tourism businesses, this approach strengthens resource efficiency, reduces operating costs, and supports NSW’s shift toward a more sustainable economy.

Circular practices also demonstrate leadership to visitors, many of whom seek businesses that minimise waste and prioritise thoughtful, responsible use of resources.

Actions to consider:

Design out waste from the beginning

• Choose durable, repairable, and modular products.
• Avoid single-use items in accommodation, food service, and packaging.
• Opt for refillable, bulk-purchase, or closed-loop systems for cleaning and personal care products.

Keep products and materials in use

• Repair furniture, equipment, and fixtures instead of replacing them.
• Donate or repurpose materials through local reuse networks, Men’s Sheds, or community organisations.
• Incorporate reclaimed or recycled materials in fit-outs or refurbishments.

Use resources for longer

• Select products with long warranties or service support.
• Implement linen and towel reuse programs that reduce consumption without compromising guest comfort.
• Reuse merchandise, event materials, or display items season after season.

Support regenerative and circular suppliers

• Choose suppliers offering take-back schemes, refill programs, recycled-content products, or circular packaging.
• Work with local partners who repair, upcycle, or remanufacture materials.
• Making sustainable purchasingProvide reusable items for guests (cups, bottles, shopping bags).
• Offer water refill stations and encourage BYO containers or picnic kits.
• Communicate the environmental value of reuse and circular practices.

How this supports the SDGs

Applying circular economy principles strengthens progress toward SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 – Climate Action, and SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. By reducing waste, extending the life of products, and choosing regenerative materials, your business contributes to a more efficient and innovative visitor economy, one that protects the natural and cultural assets that make Southern NSW unique.

Tourism businesses are increasingly affected by climate change through extreme weather, shifting visitor patterns, and rising operational costs. Integrating resilient design into buildings and landscapes reduces exposure to heat and storm damage and helps lower energy costs. Incorporate shading, insulation, and natural ventilation to maintain comfort while minimising resource use. Planning for resilience ensures your business can adapt to changing conditions and continue delivering positive experiences.

Actions to consider:

• Identify environmental risks such as floods, bushfires, or heatwaves.
• Diversify visitor seasons to reduce reliance on peak periods.
• Incorporate adaptive infrastructure and landscaping in your operations.
• Engage with local councils and regional networks on climate initiatives.
• Review insurance and emergency plans regularly.

Design or retrofit buildings using passive cooling, shading, and insulation to reduce heat stress and energy demand.

How this supports the SDGs
Building climate resilience strengthens progress toward SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 13 – Climate Action. Designing energy-efficient, weather-resilient buildings through shading, insulation, and natural ventilation reduces vulnerability to extreme heat and energy costs. Diversifying visitor seasons and planning for environmental risks ensure your business can adapt to a changing climate while supporting the long-term sustainability of your community, infrastructure, and natural assets.

Healthy ecosystems are the foundation of a thriving visitor economy. Protecting native habitats and encouraging biodiversity improves landscapes, supports wildlife, and enhances visitor experiences. Simple restoration and design choices can make your property more sustainable and more appealing to guests.

Actions to consider:

• Plant native vegetation suited to local conditions to restore habitat and reduce maintenance.
• Use wildlife-safe lighting and fencing to protect nocturnal species.
• Remove invasive weeds and re-establish natural groundcover.
• Participate in community conservation or Landcare programs.
• Monitor biodiversity on your property and share results with visitors.

How this supports the SDGs
Biodiversity protection and habitat restoration directly support SDG 14 – Life Below Water and SDG 15 – Life on Land. Native planting, wildlife-safe lighting, and weed removal contribute to healthier ecosystems that sustain both tourism and community wellbeing. By restoring natural environments and participating in conservation initiatives, your business helps preserve the unique landscapes and species that make Southern NSW an exceptional visitor destination, strengthening the ecological foundations of the visitor economy.