Originally trained as an environmental scientist, Tony Charters went on to specialise in protected area planning (at Masters' level) and protected area management, specialising in 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 has many years experience in natural resource and tourism planning and management in both the public and private sectors.

In particular, he has a background in nature-based recreation and ecotourism developments. Tony was Director of the Brisbane Forest Park Authority - Australia's first integrated nature-based recreation authority. He was Secretary of the Queensland Recreation Areas Management Board and also the start-up Executive Director of the Wet Tropics Management Authority. Tony left the public sector in 1991 to take up the position of Director of Environmental Management for Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village on Fraser Island for 5 years to 1995.

From 1995, Tony was Managing Director of Ecotourism Management Australia, an ecotourism consultancy company specialising in the development planning, feasibility assessment and marketing of ecotourism enterprises. 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.

Through his considerable experience across protected area management and tourism - within both the public and private sectors, Tony has specialist knowledge in facilitating and developing ecotourism projects within icon sites.