Key facts

• Tourism Australia has joined forces with United States publishing powerhouse Conde Nast to profile Australia’s credentials as one of the world’s top eco-tourism destinations.
• Australia tourism bodies and operators specialising in nature-based and eco-tourism experiences will showcase their products to around 100 trade and consumer media, and travel agents.
• The media and trade called Planet Oz, at Conde Nast’s New York headquarters at 4 Times Square, is part of the annual G’Day USA events.
• Special presentations on green and cultural tourism subjects will be made by Australian Tourism Ambassador Terri Irwin and Indigenous Tourism Australia Executive Chairman Aden Ridgeway.

Key quotes

• "We lead the world in developing green tourism and we have consistently recognized the importance of protecting our unique environment. Tourism has, by and large, been a very powerful force for good by ensuring people and governments value our natural assets and work to protect them," Geoff Buckley, Managing Director, Tourism Australia.
• "Australia is one of the world’s top green and nature destinations. We have a good story to tell and it’s important we tell it, " Geoff Buckley, Managing Director, Tourism Australia.

Full story

Tourism Australia has joined forces with United States publishing powerhouse Conde Nast to profile Australia’s credentials as one of the world’s top eco-tourism destinations.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Geoff Buckley said Australia had a window of opportunity to convert global interest in ‘green’ places and products into increased tourism arrivals.

“There is no denying that business and public sentiment is clearly indicating a growing preference for guilt-free, low-impact products and services – particularly at the upper end of the market,” he said.

“And the global tourism industry has been at the centre of considerable debate about the impact of travel on the environment.

“But these issues of climate change and environmental degradation provide an opportunity for Australia, not just a challenge.

“Australia is one of the world’s top green and nature destinations. We have a good story to tell and it’s important we tell it.

“We lead the world in developing green tourism and we have consistently recognized the importance of protecting our unique environment. Tourism has, by and large, been a very powerful force for good by ensuring people and governments value our natural assets and work to protect them.

“And tourism will have an even greater role to play in the future.”

Mr Buckley said the US market was particularly open to green, nature based and eco-tourism messages.

“Americans have a great love of wilderness and wild places. They were, after all, the first country to introduce the concept of National Parks. And while other countries, notably in Europe, embraced this issue earlier, there is no doubt that ‘green’ is hot in the US now and a real movement is beginning,” he said.

As part of the annual G’Day USA events, Tourism Australia is hosting a special media and trade event, called Planet Oz, at Conde Nast’s New York headquarters at 4 Times Square.

Australia tourism bodies and operators specialising in nature-based and eco-tourism experiences will showcase their products to around 100 trade and consumer media, and travel agents.

Special presentations on green and cultural tourism subjects will be made by Australian Tourism Ambassador Terri Irwin and Indigenous Tourism Australia Executive Chairman Aden Ridgeway.

The event coincides with the publication of a 16 page special edition in Conde Nast’s leading travel magazine ‘Traveler’. The 16 page feature, on Australia’s one of a kind escapes to its World Heritage listed regions, appears in the January 2008 issue of the magazine.

Mr Buckley said the promotion of Australia’s World Heritage areas in the US mirrored a current campaign in Japan.

“Our World Heritage areas are one of our greatest assets as we ramp up promotion of Australia as a green and eco-friendly destination,” he said.

Australian tourism operators participating in the Conde Nast event include:

• Exceptional Kangaroo Island (SA) 
• Sydney Opera House (NSW) 
• Island and the GBR (QLD)
• The Rainforest and GBR (QLD) 
• The Sunshine Way (QLD) 
• Hayman Island (QLD) 
• Australia Zoo (QLD) 
• Cable Beach Club Resort (WA) 
• North Star Cruises (WA) 
• Voyages El Questro (WA) 
• Cradle Huts (TAS) 
• Overland Track (TAS) 
• Voyages General (National) 
• Indigenous Tourism Australia (General – National) 
• Bothfeet (VIC) 
• Phililp Island Nature Park (VIC) 
• Conservation Volunteers (VIC)

Tourism Australia is a founding partner in G’Day USA. G’Day USA is produced by the Los Angeles and New York offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tourism Australia, Austrade and Qantas Airways.

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