At the Ecotourism Australia National Conference held in November, 2003, a Memorandum of Coperation for the Development of a World Heritage Tourism Program and Fund was signed by UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Ecotourism Australia.

The partnership outlines a vision to create an environment of shared learning and assistance for World Heritage areas between developed and developing countries. Australian ECO Certified operators are donating their tourism services for incorporation into a series of Australian travel itineraries known as World Heritage Eco-Escapes. These travel programs will be marketed and sold internationally at full market value by a private travel agency. We are currently negotiating the support of National Geographic to become sole distributor of these travel itineraries.

The funds generated from the Eco-Escape programme will be donated to the World Heritage fund for supporting projects and activities aiding Australian World Heritage site conservation and protection, the development of sustainable tourism, and the presentation of heritage to the public and visitors.