What is the ROC Program?

Respecting Our Culture (ROC)  is an accreditation program designed for any tourism business that includes Indigenous content or enters into land significant to Indigenous people. 

ROC ensures certified tourism experiences meet professional and sustainable standards and operate with respect for Indigenous cultural heritage.

What are the benefits:

• A practical guide to implement sound business principles, ecologically sustainable practices and culturally responsible initiatives.
• Use of an internationally recognised logo on your marketing material.
• Promotion of your product/s by Ecotourism Australia and inclusion in the Green Travel Guide.
• Profiled in EcoBytes once certified, plus the opportunity to showcase new innovations and news.
• Promotion at international trade shows such as ATE, ITB and JAM.
• Extended 5 year licencing for Commercial Tour Operators to operate in SA National Parks
• Park agencies consider ECO Certification and ROC in the application process for special permits.
• 25% discount to the annual Eco Conference.
• Membership with the South Australian Tourism Industry Council.
• ROC Accreditation is endorsed under T-QUAL, with the associated benefits.

For more information contact SATIC  or visit the Ecotourism Australia website.

4 Easy Steps to becoming ROC Certified

Step 1 - Register

Visit the Ecotourism Australia website

Step 2 - Complete the workbook

Complete the self assessment criteria.

Step 3 - Submit your application

Submit your application to Ecotourism Australia for independent assessment: PO Box 881, Fortitude Valley, QLD, 4006.

On successful completion of assessment you will be notified of ROC Certification.

Step 4 - Onsite audit

An onsite audit will be conducted with the first 3 years of applying to ensure the standards of certification are being maintained.

ECO & ROC Certification Criteria:

• Business Management and Operational Planning
• Business Ethics
• Responsible Marketing
• Customer Satisfaction
• Natural Area and/or Cultural Focus
• Environmental Management
• Interpretation and Education
• Contribution to Conservation
• Working with Local Communities
• Cultural Respect and Sensitivity

Note: If you have already achieved tourism accreditation with the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program, you will receive credit for Section 1.
 

For more information contact SATIC  or visit the Ecotourism Australia website.

Respecting Our Culture Certification Fees

ROC fees are based on your business' gross annual turn over.

Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Yorke Peninsula, SA

National accredited tour operator, Aboriginal Cultural Tours – Adjahdura Land, will take you to rarely seen areas of our country and expose Australia’s hidden history. Aboriginal Cultural Tours offer an incredibly rich experience – incorporating 40,000 years of Aboriginal Dreaming, culture & heritage.

Contact: tours@adjahdura.com.au

Australian Soul Tours and Events, Adelaide, SA

Australian Soul Tours and events offers language city tours, private touring, small and larger groups and luxury travel in South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory. Our variety of tours includes touring in Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Great Ocean Road, Flinders Ranges, the Red Centre including Uluru and much more. Visit with us the phantastic National Parks of Australia, learn more about the old culture of the Aboriginies and just be yourself because we care for you!

Contact: australiansoul@bigpond.com

Bookabee Tours Australia, Henley Beach, SA

Multiple award winning Bookabee Australia is Aboriginal owned and operated. We visit places very few others have seen. If it is a memorable experience you want or a unique taste of Australian Aboriginal Culture, we will satisfy your dreams. Choose from one of our regular tours or speak with us about designing a specialized charter tour to meet your individual needs.

Contact: tours@bookabee.com.au

Diverse Travel Australia, Thebarton, SA

Diverse Travel Australia provides high quality special interest, Aboriginal, nature based and wine travel programs. We are not your mainstream tour operator and are dedicated to providing access to the unusual diversity and richness of Australia's natural and cultural landscape. Our team is passionate about the diversity and richness of Australia's natural and cultural landscape and our challenge is to make the impossible possible. For many years we have all been actively involved in developing the finest nature based, wine and Aboriginal cross-cultural travel experiences possible. We combine these experiences with wide ranging interests from environmental sustainability to the finest food and wine in the most exotic places. We handle the complete booking (excluding scheduled air flights) and organisational procedures to help you create the most memorable journeys.

Contact: info@diversetravel.com.au

Just Cruisin 4WD Tours, Blewitt Springs, SA

A journey into Australia's Outback is a journey of discovery. From the time you reach the Southern Flinders Ranges you escape the hustle and bustle of city life.If you enjoy pristine untouched Australia away from the tourist crowd then you will enjoy touring Outback Australia.

Contact: cruisin2@tpg.com.au