More than 6,500 Queensland students will get to explore the beauty of the reef from Cooktown to Bundaberg thanks to the Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program.
The $1 million State Government initiative was launched today and will provide $150 to eligible students to get to the reef in Term 3 this year.
The program is designed to support opportunities for students to undertake place-based learning activities in the Great Barrier Reef.
It will also provide opportunities for tourism operators in the region to enhance and develop educational products and experiences to stimulate new market travel and subsequent tourism visitation to the GBR region.
“Each year, thousands of Queensland kids travel interstate for school excursions but many haven’t had the chance to experience the beauties of their own backyard,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
“We want as many students as possible to experience the Reef and understand its importance – and we also want to support tourism operators who have been doing it tough.”
Bundaberg Tourism CEO Katherine Reid said the program would help to bolster tourism in the region and support local tourism operators.
“This subsidy program to encourage Queensland school kids to visit, experience and learn about the Great Barrier Reef is a wonderful opportunity for Bundaberg and the Southern Great Barrier Reef,” she said.
“We understand that GBRMPA recognised High Standard Tour Operators will be invited to submit expressions of interest and we will be supporting our reef and coastal operators so that the region can put forward inspiring, curriculum aligned excursion itineraries to experience the Great Barrier Reef from Bundaberg.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for savvy and proactive tourism operators to get in early, partner with other businesses, create targeted, curriculum based itineraries that showcase the Great Barrier Reef and our pristine natural environments of the Bundaberg region.”
All primary and secondary Queensland schools are invited to apply to the Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program.
More information is available at www.dtis.qld.gov.au.
