Last Thursday over 50 people attended Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s (QTIC) World Environment Day hosted at the stunning Shute Harbour Marine Terminal.
QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler said World Environment Day is crucial to the tourism sector because without the environment in Queensland their wouldn’t be a tourism industry, she also highlighted the exceptional experiences here in the Whitsundays.
“The natural environment is such a critical part of the tourism industry,” she said.
“If you look at all of our world-renowned experiences across Queensland, they're all based on an environmental piece, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Skyrail in Cairns. We have heritage sites all across Queensland.
“It feels so great to be back in the Whitsundays, but to be able to represent our entire state and make sure that not just our city thrives, but our regions as well, and make sure that we as an industry body, represent and connect with all parts of it Queensland is something really important to me.”
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said World Environment Day is important to discover and understand ways to promote a eco-friendly tourism sector in the region.
“Today's event is more than just being about ideas it's about exploring the very tangible steps that can be taken to preserve, to promote our environment through sustainable tourism,” said Mayor Collins.
“From keynote speakers to hands on eco initiatives, this afternoon is a celebration of what's possible when industry and community come together with a shared purpose, and that purpose, protecting our natural assets while growing our economy has never been more important.”
Assistant Minister for Tourism Bree James MP said that Tourism supports one in six jobs in Tropical North Queensland, one in three in the Whitsundays, and one in 11 across Queensland and announced that last week the Government had launched its Destination 2045 vision.
“Destination 2045 has supercharged to the state's tourism industry into a new area of growth, sustainability and global leadership,” she said.
“Delivering Queensland's tourism future isn't just about new attractions and experiences, it's about making the most of what we have and building on our strong foundation of world-famous icons. So when people visit, they stay for longer and they travel to more places.”
Leader of Opposition Steven Miles MP was also present at the event and he said he was honoured to attend and give support to an event he used to thoroughly enjoy whilst he was Environment Minster.
He also said it is important to highlight the environment in Queensland’s tourism industry.
“Queensland natural environment is what attracts people to come here, and we're incredibly blessed,” he said.
“The Great Barrier Reef, the Sand Islands, the Daintree outback. There's not many places with one of those things, and we have all of them and that's a responsibility, but also means there's economic opportunity.”
Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tim Booth said it was great that QTIC chose the Whitsundays to host the World Environment Day event.
“The Whitsundays is a place where the connection between tourism and the environment is so deeply felt,” he said.
“Bringing the conversation on sustainability into our own backyard not only highlights the importance of protecting what makes our region so special, but also celebrates the local operators and communities leading the way.
“The energy in the room was inspiring and it’s clear The Whitsundays has a big role to play in shaping a more sustainable future for Queensland tourism.”
CEO of Tourism & Events Queensland Craig Davidson, Acting Deputy Director-General of Innovation, and Department of the Environment, Science and Innovation Tony King, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins, Assistant Minister for Tourism Bree James MP, QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler, Acting Deputy Director-General, Tourism at Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Natalie Patch, Tourism Whitsunday CEO Tim Booth, and Leader of the Opposition Steven Miles MP. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
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