General News
23 July, 2025
Guiding the way forward
A NEW Wet Tropics tour guide program has been launched to reinvigorate the region’s tourism industry and set a new benchmark for delivering world-class visitor experiences.
Alongside the Master Reef guides, which has created a tourism industry best practice for the Reef, or as the Savannah guides have done across the country, the Wet Tropics World Heritage guides will be an exceptional tour guide training for people in the tourism industry in the Wet Tropics.
The free, self-paced online course is designed for people passionate about sharing the unique natural and cultural values of the Wet Tropics World Heritage area. The program aims to enhance the professionalism and capability of guides at all levels of the tourism industry, ensuring visitors leave with a deeper appreciation of this globally significant landscape.
Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) board director and Queensland Tourism
Industry Council chief executive officer Natassia Wheeler said she was excited about the program.
“It will support and empower the Wet Tropics tourism industry to, not just survive, but to thrive,” she said.
“The Wet Tropics World Heritage guides enhances World Heritage presentation and interpretation through powerful storytelling and world-class experience delivery.”
Ms Wheeler said Wet Tropics World Heritage guides would support tourism professionals in developing a deeper understanding of the unique natural and cultural wonders of the globally significant place.
“Importantly, the program also promotes greater respect for rainforest Aboriginal peoples, Country and culture, by providing consistent, accurate and culturally appropriate information,” she said.
“Participants will gain the tools to craft compelling and authentic stories – bringing the Wet Tropics to life in ways that educate, engage and inspire visitors.”
Department of the Environment, Tourism Science and Innovation director-general Trish O’Callaghan said the Queensland Government was backing initiatives such as the Wet Tropics World Heritage guides, which was critical to give visitors that next level experience.
“We want to support our tourism industry and it’s initiatives like this training that will set up our visitor experiences to be globally recognised. It is also about supporting our environment and creating champions of the future,” she said.
Tourism and Events Queensland chief executive officer Craig Davidson said nature was at the heart of Queensland’s tourism story and the Wet Tropics World Heritage guides would enable authentic storytelling, helping showcase the stunning world class natural beauty and delivering tourism that genuinely cared for people and place.
“Through this initiative, guides will not just inform, but inspire, creating experiences that stay with visitors long after they leave,” he said.
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