The launch comes just ahead of Australia’s international incentive showcase, Australia Next, being held in Cairns for the first time. The event officially kicked off at Cairns Convention Centre this morning.
The region’s business events bureau hopes event delegates will use it to learn more about the reef, including how they can contribute to its conservation.
“Guardian of the Reef was developed by Tourism Tropical North Queensland in consultation with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority blending science and environmental education with Indigenous wisdom to link travellers with sustainable tourism experiences on and alongside the Great Barrier Reef,” said head of Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef, Tara Bennett.
“Delegates will learn about conservation with a series of short educational videos and fast facts to understand the issues facing the Great Barrier Reef and how they can help it simply by visiting.
“It is another initiative that shows how the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef destination works together to further sustainability in our community.
“Incentive groups can contribute to sustainability initiatives including tree planting and wildlife rehabilitation in Cairns and Great Barrier Reef.
For Australia Next, which is set to be a carbon neutral event, carbon offsets are being generated through tree planting which will revegetate wildlife areas for the Lumholtz tree kangaroo.
“Australia Next delegates will not only connect great in Cairns, they will also leave greater knowing their visit has been planned to tread lightly with the use of electric buses, no single-use plastic and the tree planting partnership with Reforest,” said Bennett.
“This focus on sustainability extends right down to the menu at the event with 80 per cent of the food sourced within an hour of Cairns city from tea, coffee and vegetables to rice.
“The Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region is the most eco-certified destination in Australia with 72 active eco-certified companies and 27 businesses undertaking the process with Ecotourism Australia,” she said.
