Clare McFarlane, Managing Director of Aries Tours Pty Ltd, has fiveteen years experience in Coach Charter, Guide Services and Optional Tour products for the Japanese and Asian market. In her twelve years as managing director she has developed Aries Tours from a small, family operation to a highly successful company employing one hundred staff and operating eighteen luxury vehicles. Clare pioneered the development of an innovative new ecotourism attraction on the Gold Coast at Natural Bridge. She has been involved in all aspects of Aries Tours development.

Aries Tours was one of the first tour operators in Australia to receive Advanced level certification under the Eco Certification Program in 1997. In 2003 she was a key member of the review team that developed the third generation of Eco. Clare has had significant dealings with the Environmental Protection Agency in relation to commercial operations within National Parks and was instrumental in establishing new commercial operating models with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service at Springbrook National Park.

Over the past five years she has taken a very active role in tourism industry development and contributes actively to several key industry bodies at a local, state and National level. She is a Director of Queensland Events Corporation. She also serves as Deputy Chair of Queensland Tourism Industry Council.

As Chair of Ecotourism Australia Clare has overseen the revitalisation of the industry's peak body and has positioned it as an internationally influential organisation. Her work with UNEP, Conservation International and the historic agreement between UNESCO and Ecotourism Australia are a further indication of her ability to innovate and create successful partnership models.