AMPTO - The Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators

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 Executive Committee The AMPTO Executive Committee 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 Tony Baker Tony Baker is the Managing Director of the Quicksilver Group, Australia’s largest reef tourism operator. The Quicksilver Group comprises Quicksilver’s Outer Reef and Low Isles cruises, Great Adventures’ Reef and Green Island cruises, Silver Series dive and snorkel excursions, Pro Dive Cairns, and, the eco-sensitive Green Island Resort. Based in Cairns and Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland, the company conducts daily operations within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’s outer reef and island destinations. Tony has extensive experience in the Australian tourism industry with key management and development roles in leading Queensland attractions. Tony is a Board Member of Tourism Queensland, Chairman of AMPTO (Australian Marine Park Tourism Operators) and a committee member for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s TRRAC (Tourism Reef Recreation Advisory Committee)
	Deputy Chair 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
	Executive Officer 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. He is a member of Transport and Logistics Workforce Advisory Group - Queensland (TLWAG-Q). Ph: 0417 6000 55 email : colmckenzie@ampto.com.au