Dawson County is on a list of stops on a north Georgia tour for top diplomats and business officials from across the globe.

The group, representing 20 countries, will arrive at the Kangaroo Conservation Center Friday, April 17 at around 9:30 a.m. to experience Dawson County’s unmatched beauty and economic development capabilities with the largest collection of kangaroos outside Australia.

“It is our belief that our distinguished diplomatic corps will, in turn, become advocates for the value this region of Georgia can bring to their home-country companies,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

In its 23rd year, the VIP Tour gives Georgia a unique opportunity to highlight business, cultural, tourism and educational assets of different regions of the state by combining travel destinations with significant economic development projects.

This year’s tour, which is April 15 -17, will showcase destinations, businesses, educational institutions and economic development partnerships in Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Clayton, Young Harris, Dahlonega, Helen, Dawsonville and Cumming.

The tour will include representatives from Albania to Australia, Canada to the Czech Republic, Japan, Switzerland and Nigeria, among others.

“Every year, Georgia’s consular corps looks forward to getting to know more of Georgia by way of the VIP Tour,” said Amanda Hodges, consul general and trade commissioner of Australia. “It’s an excellent way for us to reinforce our social, political, economic and cultural ties with Georgia’s communities.”

E-mail Michele Hester at michele@dawsonnews.com.