Why isn't Port Douglas hosting ecotourism conference?: Entsch
REEF CONFERENCE
FEDERAL Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch is questioning why an international ecotourism conference is being held in Townsville. The focus will be on the Great Barrier Reef.
Ecotourism Australia’s Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference will be held at Rydges from November 26 to 28 and is expected to attract some 300 of the world’s best authorities on ecotourism.
“It is like hosting a mining conference in the Daintree Rainforest,” said Entsch.
“Cairns and Port Douglas are the gateway to the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics and the Daintree Rainforest so it would have made perfect sense to hold the conference here.
“Actually it is a no-brainer. We have a world-class convention centre, a massive capacity of appropriate accommodation, with a matching broad range of international cuisine and most importantly an international airport with world-wide connectivity so the delegates could fly directly into our city.
“I know for a fact Cairns and Port Douglas were keen to host the conference but were overlooked which beggars belief.”
Mr Entsch said obviously politics and not common-sense was behind the state government’s decision to hold the 2018 Global Eco Conference in Townsville.
“It would seem our four state-based Labor MPs are only making up the numbers because not once did I see any of them championing for this conference to be held in our region," he said.
“They should have been banging on Kate Jones’ door every day to secure this conference for our region.”
Mr Entsch said given the importance of the conference he struggled to identify what in fact Townsville could showcase the delegates, especially in relation to the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest ecotourism.
“If the conference was held in Cairns the delegates could actually be taken onto the Great Barrier Reef, walk through our stunning rainforests and wet tropic regions and experience first-hand some of the world-class ecotourism destinations, businesses and activities our region has to offer,” he said.
“That aside, where the hell is everyone going to stay? Townsville is not really known for its abundance of accommodation.”
Mr Entsch said his phone had been ringing-off the hook since the announcement was made this week to host the conference in Townsville.
“There are many people around the traps scratching their heads at this one,” he said.
“I have been in politics for more than two decades and have seen some strange decisions, but this one is definitely up there.
“It would seem common-sense went out the window on this one, along with our four Labor state-based MPs.
“But as they say, common-sense isn’t that common.”
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