Invited to forum

Coastal EcoTours of Koolewong has been invited to represent the Central Coast and Newcastle-Hunter regions for a major Nature Industry Forum scheduled for March.

The Tourism NSW initiative will focus on the development and marketing of nature-based products and services to the international and domestic markets.

This opportunity allows Coastal Ecotours to promote the natural beauty of the Central Coast and Hunter regions to a broader domestic and international tourism audience.

EcoTours director Mr Wayne Peters said: "The recognition by Gosford Council of our company's quality environmental-based tourism services has been one we have taken seriously and apparently so have others.

"The significant opportunity to Coastal EcoTours of the Tourism NSW State Forum is the chance to promote, grow and contribute greatly to the future of nature-based tourism here on the Central Coast."

Mr Peters said the latest statistics showed half of all international visitors to Australia had visited at least one National Park during their stay.

He said: "Nature-based tourism rates among the top three things enjoyed by international visitors.

"It is amazing so little is done regionally to support eco-tourism services when it is the fastest growing sector in most recent tourism industry surveys."

Media release, March 29