Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
More so than many other tourist destinations, the Red Centre is a very fragile environment and so in order to preserve our own future we need to make sure our activities are sustainable and representative of all facets of the region including indigenous culture.
The Crown Plaza Alice Springs is participating with the Alice Solar City project to reduce its carbon footprint. There will be 13 solar arrays, comprising over 1300 individual solar modules. 530,000 kilowatts of power each year will be generated, equivalent to the energy required to power 60 households for a year. The solar installation is expected to reduce the hotel's carbon footprint by 420 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. The hotel will also link a television channel to each guest's room that provides real-time explanations of energy savings. Together with an LCD display in the hotel foyer, the channel will display data from the rooftop solar arrays on power output, total energy generated and equivalent greenhouse gas emissions saved.
The local operator of this West MacDonnell Ranges tour from Alice Springs is the only Advanced Eco-Tourism Accredited Tour Company based in Alice Springs operating in the Red Centre. It is the highest acknowledgement for environmental understanding, operational practices and cultural representation as defined by Ecotourism Australia. The local operator has recently been granted Respect of Culture Program (ROC) certification which indicates we are an endorsed Indigenous Tourism Business. This program recognizes our sustainable business and environmental practices as well as the observance of cultural protocols, particularly through acknowledgment of the diversity of Indigenous Australia and consultation with them.
Situated on the Hugh River stock route 110km south of Alice Springs and 31km north of Titjitkala and Maryvale, Oak Valley is a locally owned and operated Aboriginal tour business and community. Run by the Le Rosignol family, this community boasts an olive and grape plantation, Aboriginal rock carvings and paintings and an ancient fossil field, all set in remote pristine desert country. Visits to this community provides direct economic benefits as well as raising awareness and educating visitors on the Aboriginal culture.
Photo credit: Tourism NT
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
