Cumberland Charter Yachts (CCY) has strengthened its commitment to sustainable tourism and guest comfort in the Whitsundays, with catamarans now operating with lithium battery systems that support onboard air conditioning without the need for a generator giving guests a quieter, more comfortable and lower-impact way to explore one of Australia’s most iconic marine destinations. This initiative reflects CCY’s pioneering approach to reducing reliance on generators while improving the onboard experience for charter guests.
The announcement comes at a time when sustainability is becoming increasingly important in travel decision-making. Booking.com’s 2025 sustainable travel research found that 84% of global travellers say sustainable travel is important to them, while 93% say they want to make more sustainable travel choices. The same research found that 91% of Australian travellers want to make more sustainable travel choices.
It also aligns with Tourism Australia’s new Green is Our Gold initiative, launched on 19 March 2026 to rally the tourism industry around a shared promise to protect and strengthen Australia’s natural environments, cultures and communities. Tourism Australia says the initiative responds to growing demand for tourism experiences that deliver positive social and environmental impact, and is built around the Green and Gold Promise and five guiding principles: Celebrate Community, Embrace Culture, Preserve Place, Respect Wildlife, and Take Care. Tourism Australia’s own Consumer Demand Project also found that sustainability is increasingly important to travellers in both everyday life (77%) and in the way they choose to travel (70%).
For CCY, the move reflects a practical commitment to responsible tourism in the Whitsundays. By reducing the need for generator use, lithium battery technology helps cut down on fuel use, carbon emissions, onboard noise and environmental noise pollution, while still delivering the comfort today’s charter guests increasingly expect.
As a long-standing Eco Accredited operator, a Sustainable Tourism Accredited Business, and a recognised Green Travel Leader, Cumberland Charter Yachts sees the investment as a natural extension of its broader sustainability journey. Ecotourism Australia says Green Travel Leader recognition is awarded to operators that have maintained 10 years of ECO Certification, while its Sustainable Tourism Certification recognises businesses that minimise negative impacts and maximise benefits for the environment, communities, and culture.
Simon Summerton, General Manager of Cumberland Charter Yachts, said: “Today’s guests want more than a great holiday, they also want to feel confident they are choosing operators who are doing their part to protect the places they visit. These lithium-powered vessels allow us to deliver a more comfortable charter experience while taking practical steps to reduce generator use, emissions, and noise in the Whitsundays.”
For eco-conscious travellers, the message is clear: comfort and sustainability can go hand in hand. With selected vessels now offering a quieter onboard experience and reduced reliance on generator power, Cumberland Charter Yachts is continuing to evolve its fleet in line with changing guest expectations and the future direction of Australian tourism.
For more information, visit www.ccy.com.au
