Conference brings wildlife experts to Geelong

WILDLIFE tourism professionals are migrating to Melbourne and Geelong for the biggest event of its kind – the Australian Wildlife Tourism Conference.
Australia’s most prominent wildlife tourism operators, international academics and government decision-makers will flock to the three day conference at the Mercure Hotel until Friday.
Minister for Tourism John Eren said the event would canvass Victoria’s wide range of wildlife tourism activities and venues.
“Whether it’s our unique Phillip Island penguin parade, our captivating Werribee Open Range Zoo or our world renowned Melbourne Zoo, when it comes to wildlife tourism we really do have the best of everything,” Mr Eren said.
“This conference is our chance to showcase our strengths to industry experts from all over Australia.”
Wildlife tourism Australia’s Janine Duffy said wildlife and nature were two of the biggest drawcards for tourism in Australia.
“Interest in genuine wildlife tours is expanding rapidly. We have to ask how are the wildlife, the environment and the industry coping with the increased demand for high quality natural experiences.
“We are exploring the best way to enjoy and protect our unique wildlife resource and how we define the benefits of wildlife tourism to regional communities.”
Pre and post field trips to the Mornington Peninsula, East Gippsland, Wilsons Promontory, the You Yangs, Phillip Island and Mt Rothwell will showcase mobs of kangaroos, parades of penguins, pandemoniums of parrots, harems of seals, pods of dolphins and colonies of fruit bats.