Tourism is changing as travellers becoming increasingly aware of the impact they have on the places they visit.

To prepare tourism operators and communities for the ecotourism revolution and build a more sustainable future for the industry, Council in partnership with AusIndustry’s Strengthening Business Service, EGMi and Destination Gippsland, will host a full-day Nature Based Tourism Forum on Thursday, 17 March.

East Gippsland Mayor, Cr Mark Reeves said COVID-19 had changed the way people have travelled in recent times, creating new opportunities for tourism operators across the shire.

“The pandemic has seen East Gippslanders opt to explore areas close to home, resulting in new a new type of tourist who doesn’t just fly in and fly out, but instead is actively engaged in knowing more about the people and places they visit,” Cr Reeves said.

Regenerative Tourism expert Dr Dianne Dredge, director of The Tourism Co Lab. will be joined by Audrey Vignau, Senior Tourism Officer at East Gippsland Shire Council for the Nature Based Tourism Forum, a one-day event that will look at the issues around sustainable tourism.

The forum is the fourth in a popular series hosted by Council over the past year and will help tourism businesses and community leaders further collaborate and connect around a shared interest in community-focused, nature-based tourism. It will cover:

• innovative businesses, business models and destinations;

• how to get to know your customers and their interest in nature-based experiences;

• how to identify opportunities for ecotourism and nature-based tourism;

• how to collaborate with aligned operators; and

• how ecotourism and nature-based tourism can contribute to more resilient communities.

The one-day forum will include interactive workshops facilitated by Dr Dredge.

The event will comply with all COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines that might apply on the day.

The event will be held Thursday 17 March, 9.00am-4.00pm at Nowa Nowa Public Hall, 3887/39 Wandin Way, Nowa Nowa. It is free for tourism operators and community leaders, however, bookings are essential at https://bit.ly/NBTF22.

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