MEDIA RELEASE 11 Dec 2012 Wet Tropics Endorses World

media release: 11 dec 2012 wet tropics endorses world heritage tour guides twenty three tour guides have graduated as wet tropic

MEDIA RELEASE: 11 Dec 2012

Wet Tropics endorses World Heritage tour guides
Twenty three tour guides have graduated as Wet Tropics World Heritage
Area tour guides, having completed an online training course as well
as attending last weeks training school held on Friday and Saturday.
The tour guide training program was initiated earlier this year by the
Wet Tropics Management Authority in partnership with the regional
tourism industry to improve the presentation of the region’s world
heritage values to visitors to Tropical North Queensland.
The Wet Tropics Management Authority has been working with the
Queensland Tourism Industry Council, tourism operators and tour guides
to develop the program, that will assist the industry to provide
quality visitor experiences, in and around the Wet Tropics World
Heritage Area.
The first school under the program was held in and around the Cape
Tribulation, Daintree National Park region with fifty guides taking
part in workshops and presentations over two full days.
Tour guide Stephen Grainger said of the training program “An excellent
training and opportunity for networking. Definitely invaluable to the
promotion, protection and interpreting of the Wet Tropics”.
Executive Director of the Wet Tropics Management Authority also echoed
“The course was an excellent opportunity to ensure World Heritage
values are represented accurately.”
“Our aim is to work with tour guides and employers to build on the
region’s reputation as a high quality destination providing authentic
rainforest tourism experiences.”
“Providing ongoing support to tour guides who are presenting the Wet
Tropics World Heritage Area to visitors, will also reduce the onerous
task faced by tour guides when having to source new information to
enhance the visitor experience,” Mr Maclean added.
For the first time, a Wet Tropics Tour Guide Network will also allow
guides to share the latest information and resources and to access a
broader support network.
“The Wet Tropics Tour Guides Network will provide the industry with a
crucial link to experts, management agencies, scientists and
traditional owners; affording them the opportunity to network and
continually improve the knowledge capacity of the guiding fraternity
of north Queensland” Mr Maclean said.
It’s also important to recognise the tremendous amount of information
imparted by others who are in contact with visitors in and around the
World Heritage Area - such as tour bus drivers. At the end of the day,
the aim of the training is to reaffirm the Wet Tropics World Heritage
Area’s position as a must-do destination,” added Mr Maclean.
The second Wet Tropics guide training school will be held in March
2013 (date to be confirmed). Those interested in taking part in the
school and joining the Wet Tropics Guides Network next year can
register their interest by emailing [email protected]
ENDS/
For interviews and comments contact:
Mr Andrew Maclean, Executive Director, Wet Tropics Management
Authority
Ph: 4052 0501 Mob: 0417 052495
.
Additional information
Activities at the guide training school on 7 and 8 December included
visits to the Jungle Surfing Adventure Tour operation, the Daintree
Rainforest Observatory, Entomological Museum and Daintree Discovery
Centre. Subjects covered will include beach and marine environments,
indigenous cultural protocols, world-heritage values, fauna of the Wet
Tropics as well as plant identification.
The groups also take part in yoga and wellness sessions to ensure that
apart from the training they had fun, enjoyed the experience and made
connections.
Wet Tropics Management Authority
Level 1, Cairns Corporate Tower, 15 Lake Street, Cairns 4870
PO Box 2050 Cairns Qld 4870
Telephone: (07) 4052 0555 Facsimile: (07) 4031 1364
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