Experts guide the guides at innovative tour school
Queensland-based experts and tourism industry stalwarts headed a series of workshops in April offering tour guides the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
The Wet Tropics Tour Guide Program is an educational course for guides who want to deliver world-class experiences for visitors to the globe's second most irreplaceable World Heritage site.
The sold-out workshop was held in Cairns with Wet Tropics Management Authority's Terry Carmichael and Savannah Guides manager Russell Boswell providing a deeper understanding of the Area's flora, fauna and landscape.
The course delved into the finer points of providing tour commentary and how to engage visitors from around the world.
Started in 2012, the Authority's Principal Project Officer Paul Chantrill says the program aims to give guides access to the latest research on the World Heritage Area presented in new and exciting ways.
"The Authority is in the privileged position of liaising with researchers, traditional owners, botanists, ornithologists, historians and land managers on a daily basis," Dr Chantrill says.
"Through tour guides, we can share the latest information with people from around the world and get clear and consistent messages out about our special place."
The tour guide program strives to create new relationships within the industry.
"While building new skills is important, networking with experts and contemporaries gives guides a support structure around them and strengthens the presentation of our World Heritage Area," Dr Chantrill says.
The program will run a second two-day workshop in the field in October, giving guides access to leading experts at key sites. Past trips have included visits to the Tree Roo Rescue and Conservation Centre on the Atherton Tablelands.
Participants who complete the Wet Tropics Tour Guide receive a badge and certificate upon completion of the course.
To graduate, guides must complete the Indigenous Culture, Commentary and Flora and Fauna units, attend two field workshops and complete a field assessment.
To find out more about the program, click here.
Published: 20th Apr 2017