Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef has launched a new sustainable initiative, which enables business event delegates to give back to local causes.

Launched at the annual Sell TNQ business events showcase, the new program, titled Nurturing Nature, sees five Cairns hotels donate $5 per delegate to local environmental and wildlife causes for events booked and held in 2020.

The participating hotels are Hilton Cairns, Pullman Cairns International, Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, Riley, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort and Shangri-La The Marina Cairns.

The donations per conference attendee will go to one of four local charities including Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre and North Queensland Wildlife Trust.

Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef general manager Rosie Douglas said the business events sector would not exist without the natural environment in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

“This new program is one of many ways the industry is giving back to local environmental causes whilst providing another way for delegates to leave a legacy,” she said.

The five properties are also undertaking their own sustainable initiatives, such as no single-use plastic at Hilton Cairns and paperless check-in and check-out at the Crystalbrook Collection.

Douglas said it is all part of highlighting the region’s sustainability credentials to the business events sector.

“In Cairns, one of the most notable factors for conferences is the fact delegates can reduce their footprints significantly compared to other destinations,” she said.

“Our airport is a short drive to the city centre and once here, delegates can move from venue-to-venue on foot or take an electric bus.”

To take part in Nurturing Nature, conferences need to have a minimum of 20 attendees and they must book and have their event within 2020. Douglas added some exceptions might apply if planners speak directly to participating venues.