COCOS ISLANDS HOSTS STEPS TO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM WORKSHOP

23/09/2005 - Greg Hunt MP, Parliamentary Secretary with ministerial responsibility for the Pulu Keeling (Cocos Island) National Park and Senator Nigel Scullion, Senator for the Northern Territory, said a workshop to help plan a sustainable future for tourism, heritage and the environment on Cocos Islands will be held on West Island next week.
"The 'Steps to Sustainable Tourism' workshop is a two-day event designed for tourism operators, heritage and environment managers, and community groups to understand the issues they face and develop ways to work together," Mr Hunt said.
"A key emphasis for the workshop will be the opportunity for the Cocos Islands community to participate and work through ideas for small scale tourism ventures, including cultural tourism. This will be particularly useful for setting a direction for the future of tourism on Cocos.
"I am delighted that the Australian Government through Parks Australia is conducting the workshop and has contributed funding of $10,000 for this event.
"My thanks to Nigel Scullion for his support of this workshop and for his continuing commitment to establish and maintain linkages with tourist operators and the community on Cocos Islands."
Senator Scullion said the Steps to Sustainable Tourism workshop was an effective tool and perfectly suited to the communities of Cocos Islands.
"These workshops are aimed at managing and developing regions, places and tourism products and draw on local knowledge and experience," Senator Scullion said.
"This is an excellent opportunity for interested parties on Cocos to come together and look at the key issues affecting sustainable tourism on the Islands and consider future tourism opportunities that draw on the Islands' unique natural and cultural heritage."
The two day workshop will begin on Tuesday 27 September and will be conducted by Nicholas Hall from Charles Darwin University and Meryl Triggs from Parks Australia. It will be held in the conference room in the Administration building on West Island.