Ecotourism Australia’s 28th annual Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference will be held at Margaret River, Western Australia from 1 - 3 December 2020. Live streaming will be available for participants who are unable to travel to the conference location.
The event – the world’s longest running ecotourism conference – was last held in Western Australia, specifically Rottnest Island, in 2015. It was last held in Margaret River in 1998.
“Ecotourism has come a long way in that time and now represents some 25% of the industry Australia-wide,” said Ecotourism Australia Chair, Dr Claire Ellis.
“The conference is usually held in late November/early December, so we are hopeful that by then travel is again a normal part of our lives.
“[The event] will be an important time to re-calibrate, focus on rebuilding affected markets and creating strong returns to businesses, destinations and communities through tourism,” she said.
The 28th annual Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference is being planned to be held in Margaret River, Western Australia from 1 - 3 December 2020. Picture: Tourism Western Australia
The role of partnerships, collaboration and cooperative marketing will be part of the discussions as the industry moves into a recovery mode (from the bush fires and COVID-19).
The conference is being supported by the State Government through Tourism Western Australia and The Department of Biodiversity and Attractions, together with Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, Augusta Margaret River Shire and the South West Development-Commission.
CEO of Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, Steve Harrison said, “We are proud in playing a part in attracting this conference to the Margaret River Region as it reflects the focus that many of our members and the shire have on ensuring a sustainable future for our region.”
Global Eco is Ecotourism Australia’s attracts leading tourism industry operators, ecotourism professionals, tourism bodies and researchers. It is expected that this year’s conference will attract some 200-250 delegates from across Australia and around the world.