Tony Charters originally trained as an environmental scientist and went on to specialise in protected area planning and management, nature-based recreation and World Heritage Area management.   For the past 15 years Tony has been closely involved with leading edge projects that have pushed the boundaries of protected area management and tourism – with outstanding results. 

Tony was Director of the Brisbane Forest Park Authority, Secretary of the Queensland Recreation Areas Management Board and established the Wet Tropics (World Heritage Area) Management Authority (1989-91). Tony left the public sector in 1991 to take up the inaugural position of Director of Environmental Management for Kingfisher Bay Resort.  From 1995, Tony was Managing Director of Ecotourism Management Australia, an ecotourism. Consultancy.

Tony rejoined the public sector in 1997 to take up the position of Director, Environmental Tourism, and from 1999 to 2004, Executive Director of Policy, Planning and Development with Tourism Queensland.  In November 2004, Tony re-established his consultancy practice, Tony Charters and Associates.  Tony specialises in agenda setting, and initiated the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia national conference, Tourism Futures National Conference and the Parks and Protected Area Management Congress.

Tony has divided his career between the public and private sectors, and between protected area management and tourism thus enabling him to bring holistic perspectives to policy, plans and developments.

Tony serves on national and international tourism industry boards and is a finalist’s selection judge of the prestigious international Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.