Mantra Group's North Queensland properties have signed on for the launch of Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef this week (31 August), actively joining in the quest to take reef preservation to the international stage.

All (16) Mantra Group properties from Port Douglas to Hervey Bay have pledged their support for the launch of Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef – the initiative's largest number of properties to sign on from any one Group (to date).

Mantra Group Regional General Manager Winston Hall said reef protection and its health is very important to Mantra Group team members and guests, given the Group's wide range of properties along the East Coast of Queensland.

"As the largest accommodation provider in the state, we see this initiative as an amazing opportunity to become advocates for the protection and health of the Great Barrier Reef through education, conservation and tourism,” said Mr Hall.

The Group's North Queensland Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree resorts will be utilising the initiative's tourism toolkit to feature Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef collateral and videos in hotel lobbies, guest rooms and staff rooms to generate awareness and encourage participation in the initiative.

Team members in the region are also being encouraged to share their own ideas on ways to protect and enhance the Great Barrier Reef.

"We want to be a leader in the industry in this area and take our role in assisting reef protection for future generations very seriously,” said Mr Hall.

"I think a lot of people want to help, they want to protect the reef, but they're unsure what to do. If we can empower our guests and team members to do one thing for reef conservation, it all adds up."

Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef Chief Executive Officer Andy Ridley said they're aiming to have as many boats, hotel rooms, shuttle buses and booking forms proudly displaying the Citizens logo.

“This will coincide with the unveiling of the Citizens Gateway sculpture in Cairns, and the launch of our new website encouraging people around the world to join us and take action to secure the future of the Great Barrier Reef,” said Mr Ridley.

“We're thrilled Mantra Group has signed on for the cause, helping to spread the important message of preserving the Great Barrier Reef for current and future generations.”

Mantra Group's participating properties include:

Port Douglas: Peppers Beach Club; Mantra Aqueous on Port; Mantra Heritage; Mantra in the Village; Mantra on the Inlet

Palm Cove: Peppers Beach Club & Spa; Mantra Amphora

Cairns: Mantra Esplanade; Mantra Trilogy; BreakFree Royal Harbour

Magnetic Island: Peppers Blue on Blue Resort

Whitsundays: Peppers Airlie Beach; Mantra Club Croc; Mantra Boathouse Apartments

Fraser Coast: Mantra Hervey Bay; BreakFree Great Sandy Straits

About Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef

Citizen's mission is to engage the world in the future of the Reef.  At its centre will be the Citizens platform - designed to bring the innovative, inspired and interesting actions from individuals, communities and business to the table, and get you, as a Citizen, involved. www.CitizensGBR.org

About Mantra Group

Mantra Group is the leading Australian-based hotel and resort operator.  Mantra Group's portfolio consists of 128 properties with more than 21,500 rooms in properties under management, across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Hawaii. Operating three well-known and trusted brands – Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree - Mantra Group operates the second largest network of accommodation properties in Australia (by room number). The Group is positioned to offer both leisure and business style accommodation ranging from full-service city hotels and self-contained apartments to luxury resorts and retreats. The Group successfully listed on the ASX in June 2014 and in its first year as a public company was elevated to the ASX 200: www.mantragroup.com.au; www.peppers.com.au; www.mantra.com.au ; www.breakfree.com.au