DESIRED DESTINATIONS
Sustainability at the top of tropical QLDs list j in the region since opening in the past few years , and the Pullman Reef View Hotel continues to maintain its high-end status . One look at its stunning rooftop pool deck overlooking the city is hands-down James Bond-style luxe .
Experiencing Cairns beyond the resort walls , especially in an evening , is oh-so-easy , with options including dinner in the oceanarium , dining from the decks on freshly caught seafood onboard the Prawn Star vessel and taking over a hidden laneway bar for a pre-dinner gin masterclass with a local distiller .
Further afield , a visit to Hartley ’ s Crocodile Adventures for lunch or dinner is a great option , as is dinner within the walls of an old World War Two oil storage tank . It has been repurposed and caters to corporate meeting and incentive travel reward groups . S
Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef now offers more than 180 ecocertified tours allowing delegates to discover the natural wonders of the region in a way that conserves and preserves the environment .
The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is one of 10 businesses to hold EarthCheck ’ s Master Certification , while Port Douglas was the first destination in the world to be awarded ECO Destination Certification .
The Coral Nurture Program – a partnership between researchers and five local Great Barrier Reef tour operators – has planted over 76,000 corals using the locally designed Coralclip .
Additionally , the Quicksilver Group , which takes visitors out to the Great Barrier Reef each day , has been eco-certified since 1997 ! Wildlife champions Hartley ’ s Crocodile Adventures created the North Queensland Wildlife Trust in 2004 , and the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre has been rescuing turtles for over 20 years !
Visitors are encouraged to partner with Reforest , the destination ’ s carbon offset partner that helps visitors offset their event carbon emissions , either partially or wholly through the planting of native trees in the endangered Mabi Rainforest ( home to the threatened Tree Kangaroo ).
Rosie Douglas , general manager at Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef says the new partnership also allows delegates the opportunity to contribute throughout the event : “ The partnership is an easy option for event organisers looking to enter into an offsetting carbon program of any capacity .”
Earlier this year Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef launched an online Sustainable Travel Hub to help visitors and event groups travel with a greater purpose to the region . Rosie adds : “ Showcasing interactive conservation projects , immersive cultural experiences and eco-certified operators , the hub helps event planners and delegates to understand the value our region places on the environment and our community .”
38 Executive PA | Winter Issue 2023