Travalysters: meet Mark Olsen, CEO at Tourism Tropical North Queensland

That’s right, when Ecotourism Australia, the world’s first eco-certification program, was established in 1991, TTNQ operators were quick to become accredited. We now have the highest concentration of eco-certified tourism operators in Australia, with 182 experiences and 62 companies accredited. Certifications can be a great way to keep travel operators proactive in looking for ways to contribute to the environment.

Visitors are essential for funding scientific research in the area, and many provisions for tourists also directly support the preservation of the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforests. For example, the Reef Magic pontoon offers day trips for visitors, but also has an onboard laboratory, bunks for scientists, and indigenous guides sharing cultural knowledge of the ocean.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are crucial to the protection and visitor experience of Tropical North Queensland. Both are ancient cultures whose people have lived here for more than 60,000 years and continue to thrive today, with a lively programme of events such as the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. We work to support our region’s indigenous tourism experiences through the First Nations Tourism Plan, and of course are thrilled that the Indigenous Women of the Great Barrier Reef recently won a coveted Earthshot prize.

No, more visitors are welcome! The Great Barrier Reef is the size of Italy and before the pandemic received 2 million visitors a year. Tourism is regulated, with 80% of all activity occurring within just 7% of the Reef. Along its 1,430-mile length, there are 3,000 coral reefs and 600 continental islands – which means it’s possible to be the only person on an island or on an individual reef. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park sets a global benchmark for marine protected area management with all commercial and recreational activities regulated by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority.

We’ve just launched our Sustainability Hub, with loads of useful information for travellers. We’re also excited about Nautilus Aviation, which has ordered 10 zero-emission electric aircraft, and will offer scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef by 2026. There are also plans to launch a 24-metre electric hybrid catamaran for 60 passengers.