An Open Letter To The Editor Of The News-Mail
The Mon Repos turtle season 2011/12 has now finished and what a season it was. From a flood effected 2010/11 season with 20,780 visitors to an all time record season this year attracting 29,408 visitors to watch this national treasure that we have on our doorstep.
These visitors to our region go back with special memories of the turtles and of Bundaberg, and a message of how important it is to look after our environment and the health of these endangered species. The visitors also spend money in the region spreading economic benefit from their holiday here valued at many millions of dollars to our community.
As the Chair of Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism and on behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank all those who made this possible. The National Park staff and volunteers who work late into the night at Mon Repos, the staff and volunteers at Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism who give out information and make bookings seven days a week, the tourism operators and Tourism Queensland who have supported the record marketing campaign to get our name up in lights. To the News Mail and ABC Wide Bay who have reported turtle and visitor numbers throughout the season and the wider media who have spread the message of how great our region is to visit. Lastly, but by no means least, our thanks go to our General Manager, James Corvan who spear-headed the entire marketing campaign from its conception through to its unprecedented successful conclusion.
We are now in planning mode to build on the successes of the past five months and look forward to working with you all to ensure that visitors and locals can visit Mon Repos and encounter our ‘ancient mariners’ for many years to come.
Greg Barnes
Chair, Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism