WWF will be attending the seventh National Conference on Tourism Futures at the Gold Coast on the 17-19 August. WWF will there to contribute to the discussions on climate change, protected area tourism, the future of the Great Barrier Reef and the threatened species, such as turtles, that depend on its long term health.
“This is a big year for the Reef, with new laws recently introduced by the Queensland Government aimed at improving the quality of water draining into reef catchment areas,“ said WWF Reef and Rangelands Program Leader Nick Heath.
WWF is also attending the conference to build strong relationships with tourism industry leaders.
“We are keen to work together at a deeper level in the future to help the industry achieve its goal of growing sustainably and reducing its water and biodiversity footprint”.
“There is enormous economic value in conserving the reef and rainforest environment.”
Latest figures published by Access Economics indicate the Great Barrier Reef contributes at least $5.4 billion to the Australian economy each year - approximately 94 per cent of which is attributable to the tourism industry.
The annual Tourism Futures conference is convened by Tourism Australia, Tourism Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and Gold Coast Tourism. The 2009 conference theme is ‘Redefining the Future’ and will examine the ‘over the horizon’ trends and opportunities that are reshaping the future of Australian tourism.
WWF-Australia would like to thank Tony Charters and Tony Charters and Associates for sponsoring WWF’s attendance at the conference.
More information about the conference can be found at www.tourismfutures.com.au
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