The Great Barrier Reef has been nominated as one of Australia’s National Landscapes, under the program developed by Tourism Australia and Parks Australia. The Steering Committee for the bid, including representatives from Tourism Queensland, the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Queensland Tourism Industry Council, the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators and Parks Australia have embarked on an ‘Experiences Audit’ the first step in achieving recognition as a National Landscape. The project, funded by the Department of Resources Energy and Tourism, and led by Tourism Queensland will be completed by the EC3 Global consulting division.

The Experience Audit aims to identify and agree upon the competitive strengths of the Great Barrier Reef, identify gaps in the product based on the latest research on consumer needs and identify a number of ‘hero experiences’ that will help to clearly position the Great Barrier Reef as one of the natural wonders of the world. Stakeholder workshops are planned for September 2009 in Cairns, Townsville, Whitsundays and Central Queensland.

To find out more on National Landscapes click here: www.tourism.australia.com/nl or contact Mark Olsen.