Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics

What makes Kangaroo Valley such a special place to experience nature and a warm rural community is because we are committed to protecting its natural and cultural charms.

As a voluntary organisation we have written a Code of Ethics to ensure that the Kangaroo Valley Tourist Association delivers best value to its members and the community. The following principles of our Code of Ethics help guide the Association's Management Committee and member tourism businesses for a more sustainable future together.

Approved on 19th July 2010 Kangaroo Valley, NSW, Australia.

We, the Kangaroo Valley Tourism Association Management Committee and the member businesses, seek to promote Kangaroo Valley as the best rural destination in Australia and are guided by the ethics of these principles:

  • Market Kangaroo Valley in a responsible manner so that visitors enjoy our rich cultural and natural heritage, requiring us to appreciate that tourist numbers must be sustainable for the community, the ecology and for the existing tourism operators
  • Provide training, advice and knowledge to our membership so that they can improve their tourism service and that of their visitors' experience
  • Support the membership to develop quality products which both improve their returns and the customers experience
  • Promote local produce and encourage local partnerships to help retain income within the community to help it prosper
  • Encourage visitors to use the village water fountain and purchase re useable water containers
  • Encourage Shoalhaven City Council and operators to welcome all visitors and to provide services for people with disabilities and groups marginalised within our society
  • Consult with the community and local associations and community individuals to ensure tourism is developed in a balanced manner and contributes to the well being of our community, enhance facilities for all residence and provide local employment opportunities
  • Regularly monitor tourism pressure and its effect on our natural and cultural assets
  • Encourage the use of mass transport, walking and cycling to reduce tourism's negative environmental impact
  • Provide fire safety information to all members and encourage them to advise their guests
  • Contribute to biodiversity conservation in Kangaroo Valley, where necessary assist its restoration and encourage visitor involvement
  • Raise the capacity of members through the provision of information and training to protect the environment on their property, reduce waste and over consumption
  • Work with National Parks & Wildlife Service, Sydney Catchment Authority, private landholders and the Kangaroo Valley Environment Group to ensure visitors have access to nature, enjoy it in a responsible manner and have the opportunity to contribute to its conservation

These principles have been written:

Acknowledging that Kangaroo Valley has been listed by the National Trust as a conservation zone (1975), that it includes Morton National Park, that there are National Trust lists buildings and an industrial site as well as many Shoalhaven City Council gazetted heritage buildings.

Aware of the United Nations Local Agenda 21 (held at the Earth Summit 1992) and its aim for sustainable development at local community level.

Recognising the United Nations World Tourism Organisation's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (1999)

Aware of the Cape Town Declaration for Responsible Tourism (2002) and its seven principles that introduce the ethics of responsible tourism action.

Aware of the Davos Declaration, 2nd Conference on Climate Change and Tourism (2007), call for urgent action to be taken by the entre tourism sector to mitigate Green House Gas Emissions, adapt to the impact of Climate Change, introduce new technologies and contribute to aid the poor affected by Climate Change.




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