KEECH CONGRATULATES TOURISM INDUSTRY ON ECO PROGRAM
Published Tuesday, 28 August, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading, Wine Industry Development and Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
Tourism Minister, Margaret Keech, today congratulated Tropical North Queensland’s tourism industry on the launch of its world-leading environment protection program, Planet Safe Partnership (PSP).
Mrs Keech said the initiative was a first for a Regional Tourism Organisation in Queensland, and demonstrates the industry’s strong commitment to protecting the environment.
“We cannot ignore the consequences of climate change, and this innovative program will help to reduce the impacts of global warming on the region’s considerable World Heritage Listed assets,” Mrs Keech said.
“Tropical North Queensland is home to some of the world’s most sensitive and pristine rainforests as well as thousands of square kilometres of the Great Barrier Reef.
“For this reason, the need for ecological or sustainable tourism practices is well understood by local tourism businesses.
“This important PSP program is the culmination of work that has been done over many years to ensure the ongoing protection of the region’s vast environmental reserves.”
Mrs Keech said the Queensland Government would throw its weight behind the initiative, value-adding to the program with the rollout of environmental projects contained within the Beattie Government’s 10-year Queensland Tourism Strategy.
“The example set by Planet Safe Partnership of tourism partners working positively to manage the onset of climate change with the adoption of simple but effective practices will act as a template for others to follow,” she said.
“Tourism is vital to the economic wellbeing of Tropical North Queensland.
“Last year the region attracted a total of 2,349,300 domestic and international visitors who spent $2.364 billion.
“It is in everyone’s interests, worldwide, to see that the Wet Tropics Rainforests of the region and the Great Barrier Reef are preserved for future generations to discover and enjoy.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005
Mrs Keech said the initiative was a first for a Regional Tourism Organisation in Queensland, and demonstrates the industry’s strong commitment to protecting the environment.
“We cannot ignore the consequences of climate change, and this innovative program will help to reduce the impacts of global warming on the region’s considerable World Heritage Listed assets,” Mrs Keech said.
“Tropical North Queensland is home to some of the world’s most sensitive and pristine rainforests as well as thousands of square kilometres of the Great Barrier Reef.
“For this reason, the need for ecological or sustainable tourism practices is well understood by local tourism businesses.
“This important PSP program is the culmination of work that has been done over many years to ensure the ongoing protection of the region’s vast environmental reserves.”
Mrs Keech said the Queensland Government would throw its weight behind the initiative, value-adding to the program with the rollout of environmental projects contained within the Beattie Government’s 10-year Queensland Tourism Strategy.
“The example set by Planet Safe Partnership of tourism partners working positively to manage the onset of climate change with the adoption of simple but effective practices will act as a template for others to follow,” she said.
“Tourism is vital to the economic wellbeing of Tropical North Queensland.
“Last year the region attracted a total of 2,349,300 domestic and international visitors who spent $2.364 billion.
“It is in everyone’s interests, worldwide, to see that the Wet Tropics Rainforests of the region and the Great Barrier Reef are preserved for future generations to discover and enjoy.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005