AusLeisure

Merlin Entertainments has lured a global attractions management expert to manage its Otway Fly Treetop Adventure.

Daniel Kay, from Arizona, USA - who previously managed Grand Canyon Skywalk - has been appointed General Manager of the eco-adventure tourism attraction located in Victoria's Great Ocean Road hinterland.

The Skywalk is a glass-bottomed, horseshoe shaped walk anchored into the edge of spectacular Grand Canyon that attracts up to 400,000 visitors annually with a bird's eye view of the canyon floor, walls and vast landscapes.

Kay explains "nothing like SkyWalk had ever been done before in the Grand Canyon, or the world ... it's the epitome of natural beauty with stunning views it's an amazing thing."

Moving permanently to Australia to be with his wife's family and allow his 2 young girls to grow up here, Kay has found a match for the Skywalk.

In stark contrast to the arid Arizona desert, the lush rainforest location of Otway Fly allows visitors to be fully immersed and interact with the environment on the worlds longest and tallest steel framed Treetop Walk and in Victoria's first Zip Line Eco-Tour.

Kay first visited the region on a daytrip along the Great Ocean Road 12 years ago and was struck by the raw, natural beauty of the area.

He explains "the Great Ocean Road, even as a day trip, is one of Australia's must do experiences."

Kay sees that Otway Fly Treetop Adventure's own elevated Treetop Walk offers a very similar experience to the Skywalk, adding "they're both remote, thrilling experiences that showcase the environment in a different way.

"Anyone can walk along a forest floor, or walk to the edge of the Grand Canyon, but both attractions offer different perspectives."

As both attractions age, Kay firmly believes both will not only remain relevant in the face of technology and change, but attractions like Otway Fly will only become more relevant as society develops a much keener interest in eco-tourism and access to experiences within nature.

The beauty of his new charge, he says, is "that without doing anything, the main attraction, the rainforest, is literally growing and evolving as we continue to reclaim land.

"It's up to us to ensure the Otway Fly experience continues to capture the minds of locals and visitors to demonstrate how precious our rainforests are."

The Otway Fly Treetop Walk opened 10 years ago and was recently recognised in a global ranking by 'Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Adventures'.

12th December 2012 - OTWAY FLY TREETOP ADVENTURES RAMPS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

18th February 2012 - MERLIN CONFIRMS LIVING AND LEISURE AUSTRALIA TAKEOVER

11th October 2010 - OTWAY FLY ANNOUNCES ZIP LINE ADVENTURE TOUR

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