8 questions with Nicola Craddock: Visitor Economy Profile

Your name:?Nicola Craddock

Your role and what you do:?I am the Executive Director for the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) where we represent the voices of our 95 zoo and aquarium members from across the region (Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and South Pacific Islands), who operate to the highest standards.

ZAA-accredited zoos and aquariums welcome 22 million visitors per year (pre-COVID times) – local, domestic and international visitors who embrace the opportunity to connect with nature and Australia’s native wildlife.

How long have you worked in the visitor economy??I’ve worked in the zoo / aquarium / wildlife conservation sector for nearly five years.

What do you enjoy most about working in the sector? ZAA-accredited zoos and aquariums are located across Australia, New Zealand, PNG and South Pacific Islands. All of these organisations have their own unique range of animals and visitor experiences. Working with these organisations I am aware of the extremely valuable threatened species recovery and research work carried out by many of them, and the community engagement activities to educate visitors on the wonders of Australian and overseas species. Seeing positive results of conservation breeding for threatened species is especially rewarding.?

What are you looking forward to and why??I’m looking forward to the return of international visitors and more people to visit zoos and aquariums and experience our amazing wildlife. Zoos and aquariums have had many challenges over these last few years – they rely heavily on visitors to generate revenue to cover animal care and welfare costs; food, water, heating, cooling etc. Austrade has been amazing with their support for members’ animal care and ensuring our conservation efforts aren’t impacted, and our sector is deeply grateful.

What’s your best tip, advice, or lesson learned for the visitor economy right now??Our visitor economy is incredibly important and revolves around the people and the visitors. Throughout the last two years zoos and aquariums have been heavily supported by government and communities and ZAA member zoos have worked hard to remain connected with their customers via various innovative ways. My tip is to truly value your staff and your customers; going the extra mile to ensure all experiences are the best they can be. We are grateful for the many and varied support we have received from so many people.

What do you do on holiday that you don’t do any other time??Sit still for a moment. I’m usually always on the go. Also, I used to windsurf and I’m very keen to get back to it – maybe next holiday. Of course, no holiday would be complete without a zoo, wildlife park or aquarium visit – wherever I am.?

What always goes in your suitcase when travelling??Hat and sunscreen. I love being outdoors.

Connect with?Nicola Craddock ?on LinkedIn and read and please share our previous Visitor Economy profiles of Outdoors NSW & ACT CEO?Lori Modde ,?Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari Owner?Tony Coppins , Executive Chair, Australian Chamber – Tourism?John Hart ,?Indigenous program manager?Sharon Ninyette , Tour Guides Australia President?Jim McInerney ,?TAFE business development manager?Paula Meyer , tourism survey manager?Bode Ten Buuren, regional tourism leader Coralie Bell , accessible tourism operator and advocate James "Buck" McFarlane , international education expert Karyn Kent and Aboriginal tourist operator Juan Walker .?

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