YHA has achieved a significant sustainability milestone with three of their properties attaining Sustainable Tourism Certification through Ecotourism Australia.
YHA Sydney Harbour, YHA Port Elliot Beach House, and YHA Adelaide Central have demonstrated their commitment to environmental, socio-economic, cultural, and responsible management principles, earning global best-practice sustainable tourism certification.
Paul McGrath, CEO of YHA states, “Achieving Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainable Tourism Certification underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship and community support. By adopting sustainable practices, we are proud to offer eco-conscious travellers a responsible and enriching stay while contributing positively to local economies and cultural preservation. Our partnership with Ecotourism Australia is a win-win situation, with sustainable travel being the big winner.”
Sustainable and affordable accommodation
YHA properties showcase their commitment to sustainable tourism through a range of unique and meaningful initiatives. At YHA Sydney Harbour, The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre provides school children with hands-on learning opportunities about Australia’s largest urban archaeological site. YHA Adelaide Central runs Feel Good Fridays, where pancakes are served for a gold coin donation, with all proceeds supporting the Hutt Street Centre to aid Adelaide’s homeless community. Meanwhile, YHA Port Elliot participates annually in Earth Hour and Clean Up Australia Day and maintains their own vegetable garden and on-site composting.
Research by UK-based consulting firm Bureau Veritas found that hostel-style accommodation is 82 per cent less carbon intense per bed than hotels. While shared spaces like kitchens and co-living rooms already reduce overall energy use, YHA goes a step further with many properties using solar power and rainwater tanks.
Properties that obtain Sustainable Tourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia can now add their certification to major online booking platforms, recognising the certification meets global best-practice standards.
Achieving certification is a rigorous process, involving over 200 key criteria across the four pillars of sustainability and strong business practices. It can take up to twelve months to achieve global best-practice Sustainable Tourism Certification and includes an independent third-party audit before certification is awarded. Accommodation providers must demonstrate ongoing commitment, with periodic independent audits required to maintain certification.
About Ecotourism Australia
Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation established in 1991 that promotes and supports Australia’s visitor economy through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. The ECO Certification program was the world’s first national ecotourism certification program. The Sustainable Tourism Certification, launched in 2022, supports non-nature-based businesses in achieving global best practice. Today, approximately 2000 accommodations, tours, and attractions are certified by Ecotourism Australia.
About YHA
YHA Australia is a membership-based organisation providing curious travellers with affordable, quality short-stay accommodation for over 85 years. YHA’s mission is to create communities in diverse spaces and connect travellers with authentic local experiences in a sustainable way, with a purpose to create a more open and accommodating world.
YHA Australia owns, operates, and partners with a diverse range of properties across Australia, offering private and co-living accommodation with facilities like on-site pools, kitchens, and open-air rooftops. They create unique, sustainable spaces in safe, welcoming environments, giving guests the freedom to explore. From thriving city destinations to off-the-beaten-path locations, there is something for everyone, whether you live in Australia or are just visiting.
Currently, YHA has a network of 49 properties across the country and is part of the global organisation Hostelling International (HI), a network of over 3,000 unique places to stay in more than 70 countries.
