About AMPTO

Telephone:
07 3356 1006
Fax:
07 3356 6778

AMPTO Limited is a not for profit limited company registered with ASIC. It is the peak body for marine tourism in Queensland and has members throughout the State.
AMPTO represents the interests of the industry to government and government instrumentalities. It actively lobbies for support from the federal and state Environment Ministers on ecological issues and the Tourism Ministers for tourism matters.

We have been successful in getting the fuel excise rebate for marine operators and re-valuations of the tourism islands, which have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars for industry. We work closely with the GBRMPA, AIMS and the CRC Reef to ensure the environmentally sustainability of our industry.

AMPTO is a founder member of the Cooperative Research Centre for the Reef providing support for scientific research on the reef, and developing best, sustainable, practices for industry members. Our association was also instrumental in the formation of the GBR Research Foundation – a private non - profit organisation which directs benefactors’ funds toward reef research.

AMPTO was instrumental in obtaining federal and state government funding to assist operators combat the current Crown of Thorns Starfish plague. The vast majority of visitation by tourists, and the public, to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Listed Area is facilitated by marine tourism operators.

$Aus 2 billion dollars per annum is generated for the Queensland State regional economy by marine park tourism. The Environmental Management Charge paid by operators provides $A 6 million dollars annually toward management of the GBR and related scientific research.

AMPTO Board The Board of Directors of AMPTO is very impressive with it almost being a Who's Who for the marine industry. With the exception of the Executive Director, none of the Board Members receives any remuneration for their Board activities and even the expenses incurred in attending meetings are incurred at the member's own expense. The Board Members are:
	Chairman David Hutchen David Hutchen is Managing Director of Fantasea Cruises - the largest, wholly Australian owned, Great Barrier Reef marine tourism operator. David has over 22 years experience in the marine tourism industry and has been heavily involved in local and state-wide industry and government advisory groups during that time. David is currently a Board Member of CRC Reef and Tourism Whitsunday's, a founding member of the Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation, a member of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Tourism and Recreation Reef Advisory Committee and a member of Singapore's Sentosa Islands Development Advisory Council. Ph: (07) 49 46 6999 email: dhutchen@ampto.com.au
	Tony Baker Tony is Group General Manager of Reef Management which owns and operates Great Adventures and Green Island Resort. Great Adventures operates tourist vessels out of Cairns to Green Island and the Barrier Reef. Green Island Resort includes a 46 room 5 star resort and day visitor facility located on Green Island 27 km's from Cairns. Tony has extensive experience in the tourism industry having previously held positions as General Manager of Skyrail and Sea World Theme Park.
	Greg Boller Greg is the Managing Director of Sunsail, a bare boat charter yacht company working out of Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. Greg is doing his third, two year term as a Board Member of AMPTO.
	Peter Boundy Peter is an owner of Cairns Dive Centre, one of the largest certifying dive shops in the world. Last year his business taught over 6,000 divers. Cairns Dive Centre operates a live aboard dive vessel and a fast day boat out of Cairns. Peter has been involved in the industry for over 20 years and is the immediate past President of Dive QLD Tel: 07 4051 0294 email: pb137@bigpond.com
	Craig Davidson
	Phil Dickenson
	Peter Wright
	Bernard Heimann - Chair Southern Group Bernard is the Managing Director of Maxi Action in the Whitsundays and has many years of experience within the marine tourism industry. As well as being the Chair of AMPTO's Southern Group, Bernard is also a member of the GBRMPA's TRRAC and a board member of the WCBIA.
	Alan Wallish Alan is the Managing Director and part owner of Passions of Paradise a 25 metre sailing catamaran operating out of Cairns. Alan has run the business for more than 15 years and is a qualified skipper and dive instructor. He holds university qualifications in geography, education and E-commerce. Alan has been an active Dive QLD Board Member for many years.
	Col McKenzie Col has served on the AMPTO Board for 3 years, he is an owner and Director of SSI Australia, runs a marine tourism consulting company called Gempearl Pty Ltd, and is the General Manager of Dive QLD having served on their Board for 5 years as the Secretary and 3 years as the President. He has worked in the marine tourism industry for more than 20 years in positions from instructor, skipper, owner, consultant and association administration. Ph: (07) 4044 4990 email : colmckenzie@ampto.com.au
	Executive Director David Windsor David is a Founding Member of the Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation. He is also a Director of the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) and a Director of the Co-operative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. David chaired the Qld. Diving Industry Committee from 1992-1997, advising the Minister for Vocational Training, Education and Industrial Relations. He chaired the Commonwealth Government Worksafe - Expert Review Group in 1995-1996, advising on occupational diving standards. He was a member of the Board of DIVE Australia 1989-1995 and DIVE Queensland representative to AMPTO from 1990 to 1997. David was appointed a life member of Dive Queensland in 1996 and was presented with a "Dive Australia Award" in 1993. Tel; 07 3211 8890 email: davidwindsor@barrierreef.org
	Joe Catalano - CNS Partners - Auditors Joe Catalano and CNC Partners have been the Auditors for AMPTO for the last 6 years and they audit our general trading accounts and the COTS Control Program expenditure.