Ecotourism stint in Gold Coast hinterland for Japanese ranger
Published Tuesday, 14 August, 2007 at 09:53 AM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Ecotourism in both south-east Queensland and Japan is expected to benefit from the appointment of a Japanese ranger to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for six months.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today that Mr Seigo Murakami from Tokyo was working in the Gold Coast hinterland and other south-east locations in the hope that the shared experience would prove valuable to Queensland and Japan.
“QPWS rangers will draw on the cultural expertise of Mr Murakami to help ensure the best encounter with ecotourism is being offered to visitors,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“This may include liaising with Japanese tour operators and helping develop multilingual brochures.
“When Mr Murakami returns to Japan, he will take information and practices to assist in his country’s emerging ecotourism industry,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Tourism Minister Margaret Keech described the ranger’s stint as a positive move that would promote a better understanding of the values of ecotourism in the Gold Coast region and Japan.
“As Queensland’s largest international market for tourism Japan is an excellent choice for this type of arrangement,” Ms Keech said.
A similar six months’ placement is also happening in the Cairns region with Mr Tomohiro Hara from Shizuoka near Tokyo.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the two Japanese rangers were selected by QPWS, the Japan Ecotourism Society and the Tourism Queensland Tokyo office.
“One of many advantages of this important cooperative program is that it affords the opportunity for QPWS to share World Heritage best management practices with our friends in Japan,” she said.
#Photographs are available on request
Media Contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Peter McCarty 3225 1005
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today that Mr Seigo Murakami from Tokyo was working in the Gold Coast hinterland and other south-east locations in the hope that the shared experience would prove valuable to Queensland and Japan.
“QPWS rangers will draw on the cultural expertise of Mr Murakami to help ensure the best encounter with ecotourism is being offered to visitors,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“This may include liaising with Japanese tour operators and helping develop multilingual brochures.
“When Mr Murakami returns to Japan, he will take information and practices to assist in his country’s emerging ecotourism industry,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Tourism Minister Margaret Keech described the ranger’s stint as a positive move that would promote a better understanding of the values of ecotourism in the Gold Coast region and Japan.
“As Queensland’s largest international market for tourism Japan is an excellent choice for this type of arrangement,” Ms Keech said.
A similar six months’ placement is also happening in the Cairns region with Mr Tomohiro Hara from Shizuoka near Tokyo.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the two Japanese rangers were selected by QPWS, the Japan Ecotourism Society and the Tourism Queensland Tokyo office.
“One of many advantages of this important cooperative program is that it affords the opportunity for QPWS to share World Heritage best management practices with our friends in Japan,” she said.
#Photographs are available on request
Media Contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Peter McCarty 3225 1005