Queensland, Australia invites aquatic clients to explore the Great Barrier Reef with Oceans Away Vacations, dive-inspired vacation packages launched by French explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau in partnership with Stella Travel Services USA.
Cousteau, eldest son of Jacques Cousteau, believes that working with Stella Travel Services and promoting the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland as his first Oceans Away Vacation destination will help spread his message.
“This collaborative relationship will inspire tourists to feel empowered to learn all about the natural and cultural beauty of Queensland and through responsible tourism, they will ensue a healthy productive ocean to enjoy now and into the future,” said Cousteau in a written release.
From a government standpoint, this tourism marketing campaign will be beneficial in keeping Queensland top of mind amongst North Americans, an important international target market for the state, as well as deliver a real benefit for tourism operators.
Rated as both Australia’s and one of the world’s top scuba-diving destinations and home to the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland was a natural selection as the first featured destination for the Oceans Away Vacations.
The Great Barrier Reef, a natural wonder of Queensland, is a bucket list destination known for having some of the best dive spots of the world. With over 2,900 reefs, 900 islands, and hundreds of diving locations, there is diversity of marine life including coral, fish, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays and sharks.
A sampling of the available packages are included below. A full listing of packages can be found at www.islandsinthesun.com/divingvacations.
5-Day Great Barrier Reef Live-aboard Diving (Cairns)
Clients will spend two nights at a hotel in Cairns and three-days live-aboard with access to 16 exclusive dive sites on four different outer reef locations with wide variety of coral and marine life. This option features 11 dives including two night dives. Rates starting at $1,099.
5-Day Rainforest & Reef Adventure (Cairns)
Clients can enjoy up to three different dive sites on a day cruise from Cairns, glide over the rainforest and explore the Kuranda village with the Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail Cableway, and tour the Tjipaukai Aboringal Cultural Park with an indigenous guide. Rates starting at $1,099.
4-Day Port Douglas, Reef & Rainforest (Port Douglas)
For this option, clients will enjoy accommodations at the eco-friendly Thala Beach Lodge, spend a day diving on the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, explore the amazing landscapes of the Cape Tribulation wilderness area and Daintree Rainforest and experience local aboriginal culture with a unique candlelit dinner in the rainforest. Rates start at $1,799.