A new program to reduce the tourism industry�s carbon footprint will be trialled first in South Australia.

Ecotourism Australia�s new Climate Change Certification program will allow the travelling public to identify South Australian accommodation and tour operators who are committed to reducing their carbon emissions.

The South Australian Tourism Commission, together with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Protection Authority, is helping to fund this new, Australian-first certification program, which will be trialled in South Australia and Queensland in early 2008.

South AustralianTourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says South Australia is the logical place to trial the new program, which aims to boost awareness of carbon offsetting in tourism.

�Our State is already a leader in the field of ecologically sustainable tourism development, with around 15% of the nation�s Eco Certified tourism operators based here,� Dr Lomax-Smith says.

�The new Climate Change Certification will allow our tourism industry to take its environmental commitment to the next level.

�That won�t just be good for the environment, but also for the State�s economy, as more visitors come here to take holidays that minimise their carbon footprint.

�More than one million �nature-based� visitors already come to South Australia each year. That number is set to climb, as increasing numbers of domestic and international travellers choose �green� holiday experiences.

South Australian Steve Pocock has received the National Ecoguide Award for Excellence at the National Ecotourism Conference in Mebourne.

Mr Pocock�s company, Great Australian Bight Safaris, offers one of 76 Eco Certified tourism experiences available to visitors in South Australia.

These experiences range from swimming with dolphins and cave diving to wine tasting and camel safaris through the Outback.

More than 20% of South Australia is set aside as reserves for conservation � a greater percentage than any other mainland State.

More than 400 conference delegates will experience South Australia�s ecotourism experiences when the State hosts the next National Ecotourism Conference in November 2008.

For further information: Melissa Humphrey, National Media Relations Manager. Ph: 0414 317 913. E: melissa.hupmhrey@tourism.sa.com