Sustainable Tourism Discussion Paper

• Background
• Current Policy and Management Arrangements
• Tourism and the Value of Parks
• Climate Change and Tourism
• Parks Victoria's Role in Sustainable Tourism
• Aboriginal Tourism
• Australian Alps National Landscapes
• Regional Tourism
• Directions
• Discussion Points
• Further Reading

Background

Australia's alpine country and eastern highlands provide a rich tourism experience from life in the mountains, fascinating cultural heritage, particularly unique First Peoples cultural heritage, resort indulgence, nature immersion and stunning landscapes. This has been recognised recently with the Australian Alps being identified as one of the nation's iconic National Landscapes. This discussion paper details sustainable tourism concepts and Parks Victoria's role in supporting sustainable tourism.

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Current Policy and Management Arrangements

The Victorian Government's Policy for Sustainable Recreation and Tourism on Victoria's Public Land 2002 provides the state-wide policy setting for tourism on public land. The Policy identifies the following principles: 

1. Provide equitable access to public land for a diverse range of appropriate recreation and tourism opportunities;
2. Plan, manage and monitor recreation and tourism use of public land to minimise impacts on natural and cultural values;
3. Provide and maintain appropriate recreation and tourism services and facilities on public land to foster visitor enjoyment and education and to ensure visitor safety; and
4. Encourage, facilitate and promote opportunities for appropriate recreation and tourism use on public land through research, communication and stakeholder consultation.

The existing management plans look at tourism from a Licenced Tourism Operator perspective and partnerships with the tourism industry and the benefits of Nature Based Tourism are not the focus.

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Tourism and the Value of Parks

'Victoria's tourism industry is worth an estimated $10.9 billion and accounts for over 160,000 jobs. The Victorian Government’s Victorian 10 Year Tourism and Events Industry Strategy identifies natural attractions as one of Victoria’s key tourism product strengths' (Tourism Victoria 2008). A nature-based tourism visitor is defined as a visitor who undertakes at least one nature-based tourism activity during their visit. The most popular activities are going to the beach, bushwalking or rainforest walks, and visiting national parks or state parks (Tourism Victoria 2008).

Parks not only contribute economically from tourism, but contact with nature enriches our psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing (Parks Forum 2008). Tourism in parks can bring people together and support education and learning. Parks Victoria plays an important role in tourism policy development, research and development of tourism initiatives, particularly with respect to nature-based and cultural tourism. To this end, Parks Victoria works with other organisations, such as Tourism Victoria, Victorian Tourism Industry Council, and regional and local tourism bodies. Parks Victoria will continue to work with industry, government and the community to facilitate appropriate and sustainable tourism on public land.

Victoria's Nature Based Tourism Strategy 2008-2012 recognises the importance of sustainability in nature-based tourism products and destinations and describes the following vision for the State: 'Victoria will be recognised as the leading sustainable nature-based tourism destination in Australia renowned for its diverse and accessible natural attractions' (Tourism Victoria 2008). Five directions have been identified to achieve this vision:

1. Creating supportive frameworks and partnerships
2. Planning and managing sustainable destinations
3. Developing authentic, memorable experiences 
4. Facilitating viable and innovative businesses
5. Effective marketing

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Climate Change and Tourism

Climate change is likely to cause reductions in snow cover, increased risks of wildfires and invasion of weeds and other pests (Government of Australia Department of Climate Change 2008). Victoria's Nature Based Tourism Strategy 2008-2012 states that 'climate change is anticipated to have profound implications that could fundamentally transform aspects of the tourism sector both here in Victoria and in other parts of the world' (Tourism Victoria 2008). Climate change for the tourism sector can represent an opportunity; visitors are 'now seeking experiences and destinations that are actively reducing their impacts on climate change and the size of their carbon footprint' (Tourism Victoria 2008). This aligns with Parks Victoria Visitor Segmentation research showing that Trail User and Access Made Easy comprise the bulk of visitors to the area.

For the Greater Alpine National Parks reduced snow cover is likely to affect winter snow based recreation at Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley at Mount Buffalo and St Gwinear at Baw Baw National Park. Increased risks of wildfires may also reduce the number of days that the Greater Alpine National Parks are closed to the public.

Climate change may on the other hand mean that the winter closure period for much of the park’s operational road network can be shortened and visitors may be able to have greater access to areas that become drier.

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Parks Victoria's Role in Sustainable Tourism

Parks play an important role in tourism, creating significant benefits for businesses and communities and contributing around $960 million annually to the state economy. Tourism activities within parks take a number of forms: 

• facilities and activities Parks Victoria manages directly;
• facilities and activities managed by a third party under a lease;
• activities that are managed under permit or licence; and
• other commercial partnerships.

Facilities and activities that Parks Victoria manages directly Camping areas, hiking trails, roads and tracks, lookouts and the scenic features of our parks draw visitors and are therefore an important part of Parks Victoria's role in tourism.

Activities that are managed under permit and licence Parks create significant benefits for individual businesses, in particular for Victoria’s 300 licensed tour operators. Parks Victoria issues permits and licences to allow a company to trade within a park. Examples of such trade are to offer an activity within a park (such as horse riding, angling, four wheel driving, abseiling or canoeing), or to operate a ski-hire business or food van service. The Victorian Government's Policy for Sustainable Recreation and Tourism on Victoria's Public Land 2002 provides some direction for licensed tour operations, stating that: 'Commercial recreation and tourism trade or business purposes will continue to require the express written consent (licence) of the relevant land management authority... Access to public land for the public will continue to generally be as of right; except where limited by statute, management plan or other management reason. General public access or specific activities may be restricted at certain sites for reasons such as protection of natural and cultural values, visitor safety and user conflicts.' (DSE 2002)

Permits include a range of conditions to ensure the activities are compatible with park management objectives. Some activities have been considered inappropriate for a commercial tour in the parks, including guided deer hunting and hunting outfitters. Licensed tour operators play a significant role in providing access to parks and educating visitors about their values and appropriate use. Visitors who may not normally be able to experience the parks’ features or undertake specific activities because of lack of suitable equipment, transport or experience, can do so on commercial tours.

Recreational activities undertaken by clubs, volunteers, educational institutions and other organised groups which are not conducted as a commercial service do not require a licence.

Other commercial partnerships Several Parks Victoria facilities across the state are managed under a commercial lease arrangement. The Mount Buffalo Chalet is an example of such an arrangement within the planning area. Generally, a business will apply for a lease through a tender process following a call for expressions of interest. Leases aim at ensuring that park values are protected and that the services provided to park visitors are appropriate.

In some cases, Parks Victoria undertakes Public, Private Partnerships (PPP) which facilitates public and private sector investment in the establishment and ongoing management of tourism infrastructure. Although there are no current examples of this model within the planning area there are potential opportunities for this investment model.

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Aboriginal Tourism

Parks provide either the site or the setting for the majority of Victoria’s opportunities for nature and Aboriginal cultural-based tourism and recreational activities. Aboriginal Tourism is the fastest growing sector of Australia's tourism market and the Alps and Parks provide very good potential for quality and unique tourism opportunities by First Peoples or Traditional Owners. Traditional Owners are currently regularly involved in ceremonies, events and launches of products and management plans. Some Traditional Owners deliver their own face-to-face presentations. Some educators and tour operators licensed to operate on land managed by Parks Victoria also supply Aboriginal cultural heritage information in addition to general park information. Parks Victoria's Indigenous Partnership Strategy and Action Plan outlines Parks Victoria's approach to working in collaboration with Traditional Owners.

Victoria's Aboriginal Tourism Development Plan 2006-2009 states 'Victoria's Indigenous tourism sector has been growing steadily for almost a decade, proving that it adds a vital and engaging dimension to the State's tourism product' (Tourism Victoria 2006).

Market research has recently assessed awareness of Aboriginal tourism among overseas visitors to Australia. Europe, led by Germany, has emerged as the strongest market for Aboriginal tourism. About 80% of German tourists strongly agreed, or agreed that Australia offered very interesting cultural experiences. Visitors from European countries generally indicated a high level of interest and knowledge about Indigenous culture. In a recent survey of potential Chinese visitors, 39% expressed interest in Indigenous cultural products.

Significantly, 37% of international visitors expressing high or medium interest in Aboriginal tourism left Australia without participating in an Aboriginal tourism experience.

Aboriginal Tourism Victoria encourages the development of quality Aboriginal tourism products throughout Victoria. Parks Victoria liaises with Indigenous business people to raise awareness of business opportunities so that an economic, social and cultural benefit to Traditional Owners can be realised. Parks Victoria is committed to working with Traditional Owners, Tourism Victoria, the Koori Business Network and Aboriginal Tourism Victoria to implement these objectives.

The establishment of iconic Indigenous tourism attractions in the Alps may enhance visitor experiences and appreciation of Indigenous culture and heritage. A sustainable facility which combines visitor information, a park interpretation centre and Aboriginal cultural centre, (or Keeping Place), may emerge as an opportunity in the future.

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Australian Alps National Landscapes

Tourism Australia's National Landscapes Program is a partnership between the conservation and tourism management sectors. The program captures and promotes the best of Australia to achieve conservation, social and economic outcomes for the country and its regions. The Australia Alps has been included as part of the Australian National Landscapes branding for Australia's tourism marketing. A National Landscape goes beyond individual national park boundaries or iconic visitor attractions. It is not about municipal or State boundaries; instead, a National Landscape is united by its world class experiences of environmental or cultural significance. This approach encourages greater collaboration between the parties that govern, preserve and promote it.

An Australian Alps Tourism Master Plan has been drafted by the National Landscape Program and public comments are invited until early October. Parks Victoria is providing input into the Master Plan. A significant part of this landscape scale partnership across tourism and conservation is achieved through the Australian Alps National Parks Co-operative Management Program, which includes the Commonwealth Government's Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, ACT's Parks Conservation and Lands, NSW's National Parks and Wildlife Service and Parks Victoria.

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Regional Tourism

Great park tourism experiences typically depend on more than what a park offers on its own. Enhancing the standard of service we provide, as well as linking on-park with off-park tourism products and services (e.g. walks, roads, lookouts, interpretation centres, accommodation, food and wine, local products, and Aboriginal heritage) help create and enhance great park tourism experiences.

The Greater Alpine national parks form a significant nature-based element of the ‘tourism regions' known in Victoria as the 'High Country' and 'Gippsland' within Tourism Victoria's Regional Tourism Action Plan 2009-2012. Victoria's High Country has a tourism intensive economy with a high proportion of tourism related businesses contributing to local employment while tourism in Gippsland is emerging with the growing awareness of its nature-based experiences.

The major opportunities for tourism development in Victoria's High Country are improving consumer awareness of the year-round tourism experiences, facilitating quality Traditional Owner cultural tourism products and assisting the facilitation of new investment to build its appeal as a year-round destination. Regional Tourism Action Plan 2009-2012 discusses a number of priorities for Victoria's High Country and Gippsland Regions for the Greater Alpine National Parks.

For the Gippsland Region, infrastructure development priorities are listed as:

• wild walks; and
• eco-cabins in Crown land locations.

For the High Country Region, priorities are listed as:

• development of infrastructure for redevelopment of the Mount Buffalo Chalet and adventure tourism such as an alpine trail with associated visitor accommodation (e.g. the Mount Hotham and Falls Creek Wild Walk);
• working with the alpine resorts to improve on-mountain product and year-round visitation with a key focus being implementation of Non Winter Nature-based Tourism Destination Development Study for the Victorian Alpine Resorts; and
• working with industry and relevant government agencies to realise the direction of the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy Part 1 / Alpine Resorts Strategy 2020 Part 2.

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Directions

The major directions for the sustainable tourism are to continue to work with others to deliver memorable experiences. The experiences should be sustainable and deliver an economic benefit to regional Victoria. There are also significant opportunities to integrate and facilitate the development of quality products in Aboriginal tourism and provide economic, social and cultural benefit to Traditional Owner communities. Summer mountain tourism is likely to be increased as a result of climate change where people seek a cooler holiday experience at altitude. Victoria’s Alpine Resorts are working toward all season tourism and recognise the enormous potential to provide accommodation and infrastructure to support increased summer park visitation. An increase in supporting infrastructure in parks such as walking tracks linking to resorts, and interpretative panels will greatly increase the experience offered in park from Alpine resort visitors.

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Discussion Points

Sustainable tourism in the Greater Alpine parks may include new and existing opportunities for both the public and private sector to improve the tourism and visitor experience. Mt Buffalo Chalet is one notable example where public and private sector investment may result in the provision of improved tourism and visitor facilities within a park. Other examples include long distance walks supported by appropriate accommodation, mountain bike trails, adventure touring, visitor centres and improved Alpine Huts for visitor accommodation See Post Settlement Discussion Paper.

• What opportunities for sustainable tourism and visitor facilities do you believe are important for private sector investment?
• What role do the parks have in the provision of tourism and visitor products?
• What opportunities for Aboriginal tourism could the Greater Alpine national parks provide?

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Further Reading

• Board of Alpine Resorts Tourism, Non Winter Nature-based Tourism Destination Development Study for the Victorian Alpine Resorts.
• Government of Victoria DIIRD 2006 Victorian 10 Year Tourism and Events Industry Strategy.
• Government of Victoria DSE 2004 Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy.
• Government of Victoria DSE 2004 Policy for Sustainable Recreation and Tourism on Victoria's Public Land 2002.
• Parks Victoria 2005 Indigenous Partnership Strategy and Action Plan.
• Parks Forum 2008 The Value of Parks.
• Tourism Victoria 2006 Victoria's Aboriginal Tourism Development Plan 2006-2009.
• Tourism Victoria 2008 Regional Tourism Action Plan 2009-2012.

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