Thursday 11 May 2006

Cairns tourism operators will brush up on responsible tourism at a free workshop conducted by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority today (Thursday 11 May 2006).

The Get Onboard Industry Training Workshop aims to keep tourism managers and crew up-to-date with best environmental practice and operating requirements.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Tourism and Recreation Group Director Lisha Mulqueeny said this was one of several workshops on responsible tourism taking place along the Queensland coast.

“These workshops are part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s commitment to working with industry for the sustainable use and preservation of the Marine Park for generations to come,” she said.

“The overall aim is to help keep the tourism industry up-to-date with all they need to know about operating in the Marine Park.

“It covers everything from Marine Parks Permits to best practice interpretation, and gives crew an opportunity to become more involved in Marine Park initiatives.

“We’ve received a really positive number of registrations for the event, which shows the tourism industry are concerned about the Marine Park and doing the right thing out there.”

Alan Wallish, from Passions of Paradise in Cairns, said the workshop would provide useful practical advice on how to maintain environmentally-friendly and responsible tourism operations.

“Due to a tourism marketplace that is constantly changing, the workshop is an extremely useful way to keep the tourism industry up-to-date with operational issues while also ensuring we offer the best possible experience to our customers,” he said.

“Tourism operators in Cairns are highly aware we operate in such a sensitive and important marine environment and are keen to ensure we do our bit to look after the Marine Park.”

Tourism is the largest commercial activity in the Great Barrier Reef region, contributing over $5.1 billion per annum to the local and Australian economy.

In 2005 there were approximately 820 operators and 1500 vessels and aircraft permitted to operate in the Marine Park. Marine Park tourism attracts approximately 1.9 million visitors each year.

The workshop, which is divided into an operator forum (2.00pm – 5.30pm) and crew forum (6.00pm – 9.00pm), is taking place at the Pacific International Hotel, 43 the Esplanade, Cairns.