National Geographic Traveller UK visits Pumpkin Island!
Posted on August 29th, 2018
Thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), as part of their Global Great Barrier Reef media familiarisation program, we recently hosted Tamsin Wressell, Editor at National Geographic Traveller (UK) as part of her two week visit to Queensland and her very first visit to Australia!
Tamsin thoroughly enjoyed her time in the Sunshine State, visiting not one, but four (4) islands on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, as part of this TEQ commissioned story which will focus on the wildlife, eco-tourism and sustainability of the SGBR.
After arriving in Brisbane and visiting Hervey Bay and Fraser Island, Tamsin spent two nights at Lady Elliot Island, two nights in Bargara and a day trip with Lady Musgrave Experience, two nights at Heron Island Resort, one night at Salt Yeppoon on her way to spend two nights at Pumpkin Island (Accredited Advanced Eco-certified and Climate Action Leader), then back to Brisbane and home to the UK via Dubai.
The stunning and pristine Southern Great Barrier Reef and the variety of island and reef experiences on offer here is something we are all keen to share with our international audience via media. The SGBR boasts 43 islands and is home to the ‘Great 8’ of the GBR – Turtles, Humpback Whales, Manta Rays, Reef Sharks, Potato Cod, Giant Clams, Maori wrasse and the Clown Fish.
For decades, due to a well established tourism industry in the north, the promotion of the GBR has been predominantly about Cairns and Tropical North Queensland. However, as our product continues to mature here in the south, thanks to our focus with our tourism operators in tourism trade distribution, our very special part of the GBR is gaining momentum each year.
The Great Barrier Reef is 2,300 kilometres long with 2,900 coral reefs, 600 continental islands and 300 coral cays so we need to provide exceptional experiences, both natural and man-made, to ensure the Southern Great Barrier Reef stands out as a ‘must visit’ part of the GBR for visitors.
This was a significant financial investment by TEQ as well as support provided by our accommodation operators for this amazing opportunity. Little Johnny’s Tours and Rockhampton Helicopters were contracted to provide our local transfers and Capricorn Enterprise hosted Tamsin for dinner, giving us the opportunity to talk about all of our other wonderful regional experiences within our diverse and pristine destination.
To receive a familiarisation of this quality from TEQ to predominantly our greater SGBR destination is most appreciated and we hope for many more!
I for one, cannot wait to see what Tamsin writes for her National Geographic UK readers!
ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC:
National Geographic Traveller (UK) is part of the worldwide family under the National Geographic Traveler (US) brand that makes up one of the most widely read magazines in the world, well-known for its work in award-winning journalism, expeditions, science and education. Each 180-page issue is packed full of you-are-there photography, authentic travel experiences and insightful storytelling from award-winning travel writers. The publication focuses on helping people discover the world, its endless cultures and fascinating people, bringing stories that celebrate experience and authenticity. It is equally passionate about experiencing the world, championing sustainable travel and celebrating journeys about place, experience and authenticity from a local or cultural perspective. The 10-issue a year magazine has successfully established itself as one of the UK’s leading consumer travel publications with a circulation of 42,936. National Geographic Travellers have a high disposable income with an average household income of £100,000. 58% of readers are females, and 49% are aged 35-64. Their readers prefer travel that incorporates cities, culture, adventure, experiential/luxury, the great outdoors and nature/wildlife. 35% of all readers travel more than six times per year.
