Incentive delegates can now deepen their understanding of the Great Barrier Reef and take action to protect it with the help of a brand new Guardian of the Reef platform.
The platform offers delegates various educational resources and opportunities to participate in eco-certified activities.
Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’s general manager partnerships and events, Tara Bennett, explained: “Delegates will learn about conservation with a series of short educational videos and fast facts to understand the issues facing the Great Barrier Reef and how they can help it simply by visiting.”
Guardian of the Reef was developed by Tourism Tropical North Queensland, in consultation with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, blending science and environmental education with Indigenous wisdom to link travellers with sustainable tourism experiences on and alongside the Great Barrier Reef.
Other ways incentive groups can contribute to sustainability initiatives include tree planting and wildlife rehabilitation.
For instance, carbon offsets for Australia Next 2024, held from September 9-11, have been made through a tree planting partnership with Reforest which will revegetate local wildlife corridors for the Lumholtz tree kangaroo.
Bennett told TTGmice: “We find that groups are looking for more ways to engage with nature, and we have many boutique businesses that can provide such experiences.”
During the event, the focus on sustainability also extended down to the menu, with 80 per cent of the food sourced within an hour of Cairns city from tea, coffee, and vegetables to rice.
She added that many “repurposed venues from Cairns various industries” have also been repurposed for off-site events, such as the Sugar Shed @ Yorkeys Knob.
“The Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region is the most eco-certified destination in Australia with 72 active eco-certified companies and 27 businesses undertaking the process with Ecotourism Australia,” noted Bennett.
During his 35 years in the hospitality industry, Beaumont has held various F&B and senior leadership positions across his native Australia, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
She has worked in European hotels including the Sheraton Belgravia in London and The Westin in Venice. She recently spent 10 years in the Maldives as general manager with Atmosphere Core properties, giving her the experience in managing logistics and teams living on private islands.
According to a press statement, the event has so far secured more than 120 exhibitors, including leading domestic and international companies, major public organisations, and tourism bureaus.
Prior to her tenure at The Robertson House, Wong held key leadership positions at renowned hotels across Singapore and Malaysia.
With more than two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, he brings a wealth of leadership and expertise to his new role. He has held senior management positions at Sydney’s top five-star hotels, including Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains and, most recently, as general manager of InterContinental Sydney Double Bay.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has named Michael Groll as general manager of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.
Groll began his hospitality journey with Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London in 2004 as food and beverage management trainee, before furthering his career in various leadership roles across Mandarin Oriental properties in Asia and the Middle East, including The Excelsior Hong Kong, Jakarta, Doha, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.