The Rise of Educational Tourism

DUOBusiness | Promotion THE RISE OF EDUCATIONAL TOURISM 120120 DUOMagazine August 2016 DUOBusiness | Promotion Townsville North Queensland brings international visitors to experience the world’s best classroom. TOURISM operators in Townsville North Townsville Enterprise officially set up the Reef with Adrenalin Dive. As international Queensland have diversified their businesses Consortium in 2013 to progress this initiative. guests, the Great Barrier Reef is on everyone’s to attract thousands of students from all over Executive Manager Tourism and Events bucket list and Lodestone is the perfect place the world to spend time in our backyard – Bridget Woods said the city had an entrenched to experience a secret part of the reef. As a which has been dubbed as one of the richest reputation as a centre of learning excellence in Townsville local – if you’ve not yet taken the classrooms of life. Australia and the next step was to share this time to do this, put this at the top of your list!” As one of the only places on earth that knowledge and expertise with international Katie Krafte, a middle school teacher is home to two World Heritage listed sites, students. from North Carolina, believes experiential, Townsville boasts internationally recognised field-based education, like that offered in institutions such as the Great Barrier Reef Townsville, is a vital component in all teaching Marine Park Authority, the Australian and learning experiences. Institute of Marine Science and James Cook Ms Krafte, who was part of a study-aboard University. Connect these institutions with student group to Townsville, said she learnt some of Australia’s best tourism product and more on the 10 day trip than she had in all her Townsville North Queensland has found its years in the classroom. competitive edge to attract a new market. “I teach science, I love science, but to Surrounded by such a vast array of natural actually be able to come here and experience assets and home to leading educators in the it first hand in a tank and out on the reef is field, it’s no surprise that the tourism industry amazing,” she said. “There’s nowhere else made the decision to collaborate and bring to in the world you could experience anything the market a specialised edutourism offering remotely close to this.” found nowhere else. The education groups are also involved Ross McLennan from Hidden Valley in Koala Conservation Programs on our very Tours and Cabins in Paluma is the Chair of own Magnetic Island – a highlight for many of the Townsville North Queensland Edutourism the students who can’t wait to get up close and Consortium, which has enticed thousands of personal and learn about Australian Wildlife. international students to the region. Townsville started actively targeting “As a group of businesses who already students from the US after overwhelmingly deliver exceptional experiences to tourists, “Townsville North Queensland is the positive feedback from the growing number we’ve found a gap in the market to diversify gateway to the World Heritage listed Great arriving from international universities. The our tours, accommodation and attractions to Barrier Reef, tropical islands, wet tropic Townsville North Queensland Edutourism deliver something extraordinary to students. rainforests, national parks, wetlands and Consortium and Townsville Enterprise will “It’s something we should be proud of in historical, military and outback experiences. continue to attract students and education Townsville and a strategy that has already “If you are going to learn about marine groups to the region to learn in the world’s best delivered significant economic benefits to the life, ecology or the environment, why sit in learning classroom. region.” a classroom when you can be here, diving The Consortium is made up of tourism the depths of a reef alongside people who are operators including Hidden Valley Cabins and passionate about sharing their knowledge. Tours, Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, “A big drawcard is one you’ll know well Bungalow Bay Koala Village, Billabong – it’s our very own Reef HQ Great Barrier Sanctuary, Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive, Hands Reef Aquarium – a 660,000 gallon coral reef on Wildlife, Texas Longhorn Wagon Tours and exhibit and the world’s largest living coral reef Safaris, Mungalla Aboriginal Tours, Museum aquarium, housing an impressive collection of of Tropical Queensland, Reef Ecologic and marine life native to the Great Barrier Reef. Virginia Park Station. “It is also the headquarters for the In particular, the group has been Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority successful in attracting US university students (GBRMPA), the organisation that has been who specialise in biology, sociology and tasked to manage nature’s biggest single living environmental sciences. Groups have come organism – the iconic Great Barrier Reef. all the way from Miami University, Ohio “The best thing is – once students get a State University, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M taste of the reef from the aquarium – they get University and many more. to experience the real thing out at Lodestone DUOMagazine August 2016 121.

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