The EarthCheck Research Institute brings together leading scientists, postdoctoral fellows, staff and students working in and across University research centres around the globe.
The role of our research is to identify the opportunities and challenges that are likely to arise the tourism industry over the next five to 10 years with a focus on scientific research, education and capacity building to solve real-world challenges.
EarthCheck’s research has helped the tourism and travel industry stay relevant, anticipate trends and address sustainability for more than three decades
For more than 30 years our people have worked with governments, businesses and destinations to deliver science-backed, strategic and sustainable outcomes.
We give our clients peace of mind that they are getting a legacy of success and focused expertise in their sustainability journey.
EarthCheck’s solutions are good for your business, and good for the planet.
AICST was established in mid-2002 by the APEC Tourism Working Group (TWG) and the Tourism Ministers of the 21 economies of APEC. The APEC economies are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States and Vietnam.
AICST’s role is to provide information and assistance to the APEC Economies and destinations to improve tourism sustainability throughout the region.
AICST can identify & research major issues that are likely to impact on tourism in the Asia Pacific region, in the next 10-15 years. These issues include climate change, transport & aviation; infrastructure development; planning & design; communication & information technology; environmental, economic, social & cultural impacts & tourism management. AICST aims are to supplement work that is currently being undertaken by other organisations or any single APEC Economy.
AICST has access to the skills, knowledge & experience to deliver knowledge and services to destinations to improve sustainability & the way tourism is managed. A framework for managing tourism called “Total Tourism Management” (TTM) has been developed; which recognises the economic, environmental & social/cultural benefits & opportunities from tourism activities. TTM includes best-practice planning & management systems & enables local teams of government, industry & academic representatives to improve management practices.
AICST operates with the support of APEC economies (Ministries of Tourism & the like), national tourism organisations, tourism research organisations & universities. It is an ‘on demand’ resource for the APEC TWG. The APEC TWG & AICST identify & prioritise issues & agree on direction & implementation. Research, & the coordination & provision of tourism services are undertaken on a collaborative basis using skills & knowledge from around the region, with financial support from beneficial parties. This approach is designed to increase the sustainable tourism management capacities & capabilities of government officials, industry professionals & academics in developing economies.
AICST is a non-profit organisation. It operates collaboratively for the benefit of all APEC economies and/or individual economies. AICST sources funding for research & other projects from within & outside of APEC, through strategic partnerships with governments, national & international institutions, corporations & development agencies.
The EarthCheck Research Institute includes Centres of Excellence with an established reputation for ground-breaking research.
There are more than 476 million Indigenous Peoples, found in all regions of the world, from the Arctic to the tropical forests. They make up more than 6 per cent of our global population.
In the spirit of reconciliation, EarthCheck acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout the world and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Indigenous Peoples today.
EarthCheck acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples are guardians of the forests and biodiversity hotspots we all depend on. Research shows that lands managed by Indigenous Peoples, with secure rights, experience lower deforestation rates, store more carbon, hold more biodiversity, and benefit more people than other lands — including protected areas.
We recognise and support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration is a positive document that maps out a path for Indigenous Peoples to be free from discrimination and secure in their identities and life choices.
EarthCheck science and products were developed by the Australian Government Sustainable Tourism Co-operative Research Centre (STCRC) over ten years. Our science is reviewed annually to ensure that it meets international standards relative to greenhouse gas protocols, responsible tourism, and certification.
EarthCheck products and services are built on the Agenda 21 principles for Sustainable Development endorsed by 182 Heads of State at the United Nations Rio De Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992 and aligned to the SDGs.
EarthCheck Certified provides a framework for organisations to achieve the desired outcomes for sustainable development as set out in the final report of the World Summit for Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.
EarthCheck Certified complies with the Mohonk Agreement (2000), which outlines the guidelines and principles for an international sustainable tourism certification program. It is also a Recognised program of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
EarthCheck Certified is a verification standard accepted by CDP. It is also an approved program of the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CNCA), London & Partners, the Mexican Secretary of Tourism (SECTUR) and the City of Sydney.
EarthCheck Certified is an approved program for meeting the EU Energy Directive for the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle – BAFA) in Germany and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy) in the Netherlands.
EarthCheck partners with international research organisations to maintain the currency of EarthCheck science and our benchmarking systems.
The EarthCheck brand signifies scientific excellence, better environmental, economic, and social performance, improved community interactions, and savings through more efficient use of resources. It provides recognition and promotional support to a global consumer market.
