OFF the top of his head, Graeme Wood reels off potential business ideas that could work in the Tarkine.
Drop off and pick up transportation, digital interpretations linked to GPS, having a competition inviting entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas.
He goes on.
Speaking at a forum on tourism in the Tarkine at Smithton yesterday, the eco-tourism advocate was full of enthusiasm for the potential the temperate rainforest holds.
“Nature-based tourism, the statistics will tell you, is one of the fastest growing and most lucrative markets,” he said.
As the founder of online success wotif.com, Mr Wood’s suggestions came with a good degree of credibility.
Mr Wood launched wotif.com in 2000 with 60 suppliers on board.
It now has an annual turnover of $1.2billion globally.
“The big chains showed me the door, told me it wouldn’t work,” he told a captive audience.
“They’re my best friends now.”
Mr Wood no longer has a full-time role in wotif.com, and has since created not-for- profit organisation Wild Mob, which takes volunteers into iconic wilderness places to carry out conservation work.
Image: HERE
