The Central Coast is one of six additional bushfire affected destinations to receive support to build back better and revitalise their local economies through nature based tourism, thanks to a new partnership between Ecotourism Australia and the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia (WWF-Australia).
Each destination will be supported by WWF-Australia with a two year $30,000 package that covers all costs to progress through Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Destination program.
Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive, Rod Hillman, said he was delighted to have the six new destinations join the program.
“We are working hard to support our tourism industry that has been hit hard in 2020 by bushfires and COVID and 2\we can see tangible benefits for regional tourism through this funding program,” he said.
WWF-Australia CEO, Dermot O’Gorman, said the partnership would help to restore the local economies in bushfire affected destinations.
“The devasting double blow of the fires and pandemic has left many communities that depend on tourism hurting like never before,” he said.
“This partnership will help Australia’s nature based tourism sector get back on its feet and support tourism activities that are good for both people and the environment.”
Suspended Central Coast Council Mayor, Lisa Matthews, said the program will play a key role in the Coast’s future as a tourism hub.
“This has been a year of unprecedented challenges and the Central Coast is excited to be working with Ecotourism Australia to ensure that nature and ecotourism flourishes in our region and plays an important role in our recovery and our future as a tourist destination,” she said.
Source:
Media release, Nov 5
WWF Australia