WET TROPICS TOUR GUIDES

I have just been advised that another of our wonderful guides in Cairns has become a Wet Tropics accredited guide

Photo to follow at a later date

So what is the story about becoming a Wet Tropics Accredited guide?

The Wet Tropics Tour Guide Program provides ongoing professional development for tour guides and other public contact personnel in the tourism industry.  It is an open network of like-minded professionals and interested parties coming together to continually improve the interpretation of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

• To build tourism industry knowledge of the World Heritage Area and its values and enhance visitor experiences
• To create networking, information and skill sharing opportunities for Wet Tropics stakeholders
• To build awareness of land manager and Aboriginal Traditional Owners protocols

Program Partners

• Wet Tropics Management Authority
• Savannah Guides
• Industry Accreditation Training for Tour Guides
• Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC)
• Tourism Industry operators and attractions
• Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
• Regional and Local Tourism Organisations and Visitor Information Centres

Program Elements

• Wet Tropics Tour Guide Field Schools – two day events held twice each year in various locations
• An Online Training Course consisting of units in Indigenous Culture, Flora and Fauna, and Commentary delivery
• One day workshops or visits to educational sites around the Wet Tropics
• An eNewsletter with upcoming events and new resources

• Become a Wet Tropics Tour Guide

  Tour guides who complete the Online Course and attend one full Field School are eligible to become a Wet Tropics Tour Guide, with official certificate and badge.  Guides and their employers can promote their status as a Wet Tropics Guide.

  Accredited Wet Tropics Tour Guides are also acknowledged by the region’s tourism organisations as leading interpreters of the Wet Tropics, and are increasingly used for media escort roles, presentations to groups and other contact opportunities.

  Applying for the Online Course
  This on line training skill set consists of three units which are nationally recognised and can be directly credited towards the SIT40112 Certificate IV in Guiding or SIT30513 Certificate III in Guiding:
  • SITTGDE306 Research and share general information on Australian Indigenous cultures
  • SITTGDE307 Prepare specialised interpretive content on flora fauna and landscape
  • SITTGDE304 Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities
  The course requires a commitment to research relevant information, complete assessments and submit these online. Three months will be given to complete the course.
  The cost of the Online Course is $700.  Savannah Guides and the Wet Tropics Management Authority have received an Australian Government TQUAL Grant to provide a partial subsidy to a limited number of applicants.  Applicants who receive financial assistance and do not complete the course will be required to refund the assistance amount.