Monthly Archives: July 2019

On June 18-19, GSTC Member Taiwan Tourism Bureau (Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration Taiwan) and GSTC Member Sustainable Travel Taiwan (STT) hosted the first “Global Sustainable Tourism Practical Workshop” in Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan. The aim of the Workshop was to help DMOs, tour operators and hotels of the area to learn how […]

The post GSTC in Taiwan: Global Sustainable Tourism Practical Workshop in Sun Moon Lake appeared first on Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Wildlife Tourism Australia (WTA) is a not for profit incorporated association that represents tourist operations, educators, researchers, businesses and societies that support sustainable wildlife tourism within Australia.

Founded in 2003 and chaired by Ronda Green, owner/operator of Advanced Ecotourism Certified Araucaria Ecotours, WTA is a direct result of Australia’s first national conference on wildlife tourism in Tasmania. With an elected committee and up to six non-executive committee members across Australia, WTA’s mission is to promote the sustainable development of a diverse wildlife tourism industry that supports conservation.

WTA provides a forum for collaboration and communication between all wildlife tourism stakeholders to work towards increased conservation and awareness of ecosystem preservation through the tourism industry.

Ronda Green, as well as chairing WTA, was instrumental in the most recent review of Ecotourism Australia’s certification criteria, and was recently featured in Ecotourism Australia’s Everyday Ecotourism Heroes campaign.

With objectives to minimise environmental impacts, support conservation of wildlife and habitats and promoting the importance of Australian native wildlife, we are proud to have WTA onboard as an Ecotourism Australia Business Member.

If you would like to know more about Wildlife Tourism Australia, visit their website here.

Operating in the prehistoric surroundings of the Daintree, Cairns Adventure Group believe it is imperative to keep Indigenous culture at the forefront of their guests’ entire experience, beginning with proper Australian welcome. Traditional Owners, the Kuku Yalanji people, offer daily welcome to country and smoke ceremonies for all new visitors, showcasing traditional Australia on a worldwide scale. This gives guests insight into the Kuku Yalanji’s special relationship with this iconic location as well as supporting the Mossman Gorge center’s Indigenous training program. 

Ensuring that Indigenous culture is at the forefront of their visitors’ experiences is important to Cairns Adventure Group as this highlights the cultural significance of the land which international guests are visiting, and helps ensure that language is preserved for the local community. The focus on Indigenous culture is carried through the day tours as the Kuku Yalanji’s home in the Daintree rainforest is explored through fun adventure experiences.

“The Kuku Yalanji’s relationship with the Daintree is fascinating. Their understanding of the weather and its influences on the cycles of the rainforest has enabled the community to flourish in what is a challenging environment,” explains team member Sophie Hamilton.

Cairns Adventure Group has recognised international intrigue in Indigenous culture and provide education on the use of plants and the wide range of bush foods available that is often unheard of in their region of the world. The group feel it’s important to keep the history of their region alive, both for Indigenous communities but also for the wider population and generations to come. They have successfully been able to tie in Indigenous cultural teaching and experiences into their operations whilst supporting locals and sharing their culture.

“We will continue to visit our friends, the Kuku Yalanji at Mossman Gorge to support them and help their community to thrive,” says Sophie.

Cairns Adventure Group work hard to bring traditional Australian culture to a global audience. In this way they hope that their guests will leave with a newfound understanding of how people once lived in with the land and the importance of protecting and celebrating Australia’s rich and diverse culture.

Thank you, Cairns Adventure Group, for sharing your story with us!

Have you read the other articles in this series?

THE USE OF SILENCE TO HELP PRESERVE A CULTURE – featuring 1770 LARC! Tours

AN HONOURABLE MISSION – featuring Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours

AN IMMERSIVE ISLAND EXPERIENCE – featuring Straddie Kingfisher Tours