Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2003-2008 - Tourism Queensland

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Minimum operating standards required of both ecotourism and nature-based tourism operators are increasing and will continue to do so. As minimum requirements have increased, the differences between the ecotourism and nature-based tourism sectors have become less and ecotourism principles are increasingly viewed as a method of delivery for nature-based tourism. Over and above minimum operating requirements, tourism operators demonstrate varying levels of adherence to ecotourism principles and standards and these differences are reflected by the attainment of different levels of accreditation and certification. In an attempt to reflect this maturing of the ecotourism industry, the following updated definition of ecotourism has been adopted for the Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2003–2008: “Ecotourism encompasses a spectrum of nature-based activities that foster visitor appreciation and understanding of natural and cultural heritage and are managed to be ecologically, economically and socially sustainable.” It is anticipated that the new definition will assist in overcoming some of the confusion that has arisen over defining the boundary between ‘ecotourism’ and ‘nature-based tourism’. It also more accurately reflects the reality that ecotourism encompasses a wide range and different styles of nature-based activities. Further, the new definition provides more definite links between ecotourism and the ‘triple-bottom-line’ principles of ecologically sustainable development. 12 It is important to recognise that ecotourism products are not defined by their scale of operations but rather by their adoption of the following key principles of ecotourism: • dependent on the natural environment; • ecologically sustainable; • contributes to the conservation of nature; • involves education and interpretation; • culturally responsible; • sustains local communities; and, • commercially viable and profitable. The Ecotourism Industry Queensland – an ecotourism destination The basis of Queensland’s attractiveness as a destination is undoubtedly the State’s variety of natural attractions, conserved and presented in a network of World Heritage Areas, national parks, marine parks, state forests and other natural areas, including those in private ownership. The importance of these areas to the tourism industry is evident through the spectacular natural images used in marketing Queensland. In the mind of the consumer, the natural attractions of Queensland including the Great Barrier Reef, beaches, rainforests and outback settings represent the primary drawcard features of the State. This is apparent from recent research conducted in Queensland’s major international markets that indicates high demand for visiting and experiencing natural areas in Queensland (International Blueprint Research, Tourism Queensland, 2001).
Ecotourism – the industry The 1997 Queensland Ecotourism Plan recognised Queensland’s numerous competitive advantages in the ecotourism market, including: • the State’s pleasant climate and diverse natural attractions; • sparse population and large range of undeveloped areas; • multicultural society with relative safety and high hygiene standards; and, • well established tourism infrastructure such as transport and accommodation. The 1997 Plan also recognised the benefits ecotourism could offer Queensland, such as foreign exchange earnings, economic development and diversification, especially in regional areas, generation of income for conservation and management of protected areas, additional skilled employment opportunities using local knowledge and facilities and local infrastructure development. The Queensland Government was quick to recognise the potential benefits that ecotourism could offer Queensland’s tourism industry, environment and communities and Queensland was the first state to develop and commence the implementation of a comprehensive ecotourism plan. The Queensland Ecotourism Plan provided a strong framework for planning, developing, managing and marketing ecotourism in Queensland. This head start in ecotourism planning, combined with a well established and successful ecotourism industry, has seen Queensland secure a leading position in the competitive Australian ecotourism market. Queensland’s leading position has been established by virtue of its industry achievements, research activities and advanced industry and government partnerships. This position is reflected in the number of national and international awards won by Queensland ecotourism operators and the take up by industry and government of the Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program. At the time of writing, over 50 per cent of all Australian products certified under Ecotourism Australia’s Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program are based in Queensland. 13 In 2001 Ecotourism Australia estimated that Australia had over 2,935 nature and ecotourism operators ranging from high-profile industry leaders to owner-operated companies employing a small number of staff and guides. Queensland has the largest number of nature and ecotourism operators at 794 or 27 per cent of the national total. An industry benchmarking exercise undertaken in 2000 (Tourism Queensland, How Are We Tracking?) indicated a positive outlook for ecotourism in Queensland, with 64 per cent of ecotourism operators identifying an increase in visitor volume over the preceding 12 months, and approximately 60 per cent of ecotourism operators experiencing an increase in business sales. Operators also noted increasing consumer awareness of environmental issues, this being nominated as having a twofold impact on their business – increasing demand for ecotourism experiences and increasing scrutiny on environmental performance of Queensland tourism operations. Research on visitors to Queensland’s ecotourism attractions (Tourism Queensland, Nature-Based Tourism in Queensland, 1999) indicates that the industry is providing high quality experiences, with 65 per cent of visitors not looking for any improvement in the attraction they visited. The ecotourism industry in Queensland also reported a very positive outlook in research undertaken in 2000 (Tourism Queensland, How Are We Tracking?), with many businesses
Page 1 and 2: QUEENSLAND Ecotourism PLAN 2003-200
Page 3 and 4: minister’s FOREWORD Queensland is
Page 5 and 6: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Queensland is a w
Page 7 and 8: Taking ecotourism forward in Queens
Page 9 and 10: PREFACE Purpose of the Queensland E
Page 11: Ecotourism is a major part of Queen
Page 15 and 16: The Bureau of Tourism Research Inte
Page 17 and 18: The broader tourism industry has an
Page 19 and 20: Natural area managers ‘Natural ar
Page 21 and 22: • contributing to protected and n
Page 23 and 24: Key Objective One: Environmental Pr
Page 25 and 26: Key Objective Three: Infrastructure
Page 27 and 28: Key Objective Five: Research Key Ob
Page 29 and 30: Ecologically Sustainable Developmen
Page 31 and 32: can be achieved - direct contributi
Page 33 and 34: At the time of writing, Queensland
Page 35 and 36: Appendix 2 Managing Tourism in Prot
Page 37 and 38: Table A2.1: Biogeographic Regions o
Page 39 and 40: Appendix 4 ECOTOURISM AND THE QUEEN
Page 41 and 42: Key Objective Two: Ecotourism Indus
Page 43 and 44: Appendix 6 REFERENCES AND CONTACT D
Page 45 and 46: Other Resources • Blamey, R. K. (
Page 48: 48 For further information contact

Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2003-2008 - Tourism Queensland

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