Gareth Phillips, Director & Marine Biologist for Reef Teach (based in Cairns but Qld focused), and a Master Reef Guide is the official Tourism & Events Queensland Great Barrier Reef representative on Queensland on Tour Europe/UK later this year.
Qld on Tour is an event held every 2 years whereby Qld RTO’s and tourism operators present to over 300 travel agents in just under a week!
Our Southern Great Barrier Reef Destination has participated in Qld on Tour Europe and UK in 2015 and 2017 with some great results for our industry, and SGBR will again be participating in the 2019 sales mission.
As Gareth had not previously visited the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Mary Carroll of Capricorn Enterprise hosted him on Great Keppel Island in partnership with Keppel Dive. So over the weekend of 11/12th October, Gareth experienced two dives – one at South Wreck Beach and the second at Bald Rock. In the afternoon he kayaked and went snorkelling around Shelving and Monkey Beach in the afternoon, followed by another snorkel at Secret Beach and Big Peninsula on Sunday Morning.
The desired affect speaks for itself with Gareth posting on his social media “The GBR never ceases to amaze me. As soon as I think I have seen it all, it’s beauty goes to an entirely new level. The reefs around the Keppel islands are so healthy and vibrant I was speechless. To think this is only a 30 minute ride from Yeppoon – Mind Blowing!!! Special thanks to Mary Carroll of Capricorn Enterprise, Great Keppel Island Hideaway, Keppel Konnections, Sam and Lyndsay from Keppel Dive.”
When Gareth returned to Cairns after a very busy two days, he said “I can’t stop talking about the trip. Thank you again!…… All I can say is WOW. I loved it . I am absolutely exhausted…..I have just jumped back into work with a speech to 13 German tour agents via TEQ and I mentioned Great Keppel and the Southern Great Barrier Reef….. the sights were amazing with hundreds of 100m2 with 100% live coral cover!”
Thanks Gareth – you now know why we are all so passionate about our stunning home!
