Sustainable tourism puts Noosa on radar of global peak bodies
Published on 28 July, 2011
Noosa's embrace of sustainable tourism puts it on the radar of global peak bodies, giving it recognition as much more than a surf and sand destination.
That's according to CQUniversity's new Head of Tourism Programs Dr Scott Richardson who says Noosa's recognition among the official list of 'global biospheres' could pave the way for world leadership in sustainable tourism development.
Dr Scott Richardson ... helping tourism to become a sustainable business on the Sunshine Coast
"CQUniversity is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) based in at the headquarters of the United Nations Foundation in Washington DC," Dr Richradson says.
"The GSTC is a global partnership of industry, governments, academia and non-government agencies to increase the knowledge and understanding of sustainable tourism practices and the adoption of universal sustainable tourism principles."
Dr Richardson says these sustainable tourism principles will underpin the new tourism degrees offered by CQUniversity.
"Graduates of these programs will become future leaders of the tourism industry and drivers for sustainable tourism development locally, nationally and globally," he says.
"The timing of the launch of CQUniversity's new Tourism degrees at the Noosa Campus in 2012 coincides with the recent announcement that the Noosa Biosphere has been recognised as one of 28 global biospheres.
"This announcement by the Division of Science and Human Rights, German Commission for UNESCO in Bonn recognises the Noosa Biosphere's efforts to push back on the effects of climate change. This announcement could pave the way for the Sunshine Coast, and Noosa in particular, to become a world leader in sustainable tourism development."
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the Noosa Campus Open Day, free of charge, at CQUniversity's Goodchap Street facility in Noosaville, on Sunday August 7 to hear more about the tourism degrees and other degree programs available across health, education, social work and music. LINK for more Open Day details