Central Coast earns sixth global Top 100 recognition

From oysters to ocean guardians: Central Coast earns sixth global Top 100 recognition

Ecotourism Australia congratulates ECO Certified Destination, the NSW Central Coast, on being selected in the 2026 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories, marking the region's sixth recognition in the prestigious global program.

Announced overnight at the Green Destinations Global Conference in Kranj, Slovenia, this year's recognition celebrates the Central Coast story 'Guardians of the Ocean: Rallying Resilient Oyster Tourism', selected in the Visitor Experience & Destination Management category.

The story showcases how local oyster farmers and tourism operators at Mooney Mooney, including Ecotourism Australia ECO Certified operators Broken Bay Pearl Farm and Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, have diversified into experiences such as farm tours, in-water dining and workshops to create new ways for visitors to connect with local produce, waterways and the people who depend on them.

Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan said the recognition reflected both the resilience of the region's tourism community and the Central Coast's long-term commitment to sustainable destination management.

"To be recognised among the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories for a sixth consecutive year is an extraordinary achievement, and we congratulate the Central Coast, its tourism operators and broader community on this global recognition," Ms Keenan said.

"What makes this year's story particularly powerful is the resilience behind it. These oyster farmers are working directly with nature and facing very real environmental challenges, yet they are adapting, diversifying and finding new ways to connect visitors with their waterways, produce and community.

"It is a wonderful example of how sustainable tourism can strengthen local businesses, communities and visitor experiences while fostering a deeper appreciation of the natural environments on which tourism depends."

Image - ECO Certified Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. Credit: Remy Brand x Destination Central Coast.

Central Coast Mayor, John McNamara said the recognition reinforced the value of partnerships in building a resilient visitor economy.

"Our oyster industry is to be commended for creating one-of-a-kind experiences that connect visitors with our natural environment and local producers," Mayor McNamara said.

"This shows what can be accomplished when Council, tourism operators and industry work together towards a shared vision."

The Central Coast first achieved a place on the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories list in 2021 when it was in the application stage for its ECO Destination certification and went on to become Australia's third certified ECO Destination in 2022. Since then, the Central Coast has continued to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable destination management across environmental, cultural, social and economic areas.

Image - ECO Certified Broken Bay Pearl Farm. Credit: Destination Central Coast x Broken Bay Pearl Farm.

Ecotourism Australia's ECO Destination Certification program was established in partnership with Green Destinations, a global organisation that supports sustainable destinations, their businesses and their communities. Our ECO Destination Certification program aligns with Green Destinations' international standards. Through the program, certified destinations work towards globally recognised sustainability benchmarks and strengthen their international visibility.

The Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition has run annually since 2014 and showcases practical examples of responsible tourism from destinations around the world. The stories are evaluated on their effectiveness, innovation and potential for replication, shining a spotlight on destinations that are setting the global standard for sustainable tourism leadership.

Read more about the Central Coast's story 'Guardians of the Ocean: Rallying Resilient Oyster Tourism', here.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kate Scott

Communication & Engagement Manager

[email protected]

(07) 3256 6777

Emily Flanagan

Communication & Engagement Specialist

[email protected]

(07) 3256 6777

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. Our legacy program - ECO Certification - was the world's first national ecotourism certification program and the Sustainable Tourism Certification, launched in 2022 supports non-nature-based businesses achieve global best-practice. Today there are some 2500 accommodation, tours and attractions certified by Ecotourism Australia. Ecotourism Australia is also a founding member of the Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance (TSCA), a global association for sustainable tourism established in January 2025. TSCA members are responsible for certifying more than 19,000 travel and tourism enterprises, organisations, and destinations across the globe - representing the largest cohort of certified operators worldwide.