Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2003-2008 - Tourism Queensland

CHAPTER 2 KEY OBJECTIVES AND ACTION PLANS
The Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2003–2008 provides a sound framework for Queensland to
build on its national and international reputation as a leader in sustainable ecotourism
planning, development, management and marketing. Continued development and expansion
of ecotourism in Queensland must occur within the context of careful management of growth
to ensure ecological and cultural sustainability is achieved, commercial business realities are
considered, infrastructure is provided and a more diverse range of high quality ecotourism
products is provided matched to visitor needs.
The implementation of this Plan will be strategic, consistent with management plans and give
initial priority to the following key areas:
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• improving the business operating environment and sustainable tourism outcomes for
protected area managers and tourism operators accessing protected areas;
• providing for improved working relationships between industry and agencies;
• addressing issues of Native Title and associated implications for tourism operators accessing
protected areas;
• encouraging greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement in the ecotourism
industry;
• promoting greater adoption of the NEAP accreditation scheme as a means of attaining best
practice;
• addressing issues of risk management and public liability as they relate to ecotourism;
• developing improved opportunities for partnerships between the public and private sectors
in the provision of ecotourism opportunities;
• developing a better understanding of the nature of the domestic and international
ecotourism markets; and,
• ensuring the growth projections for ecotourism in Queensland are appropriately considered
in the planning and management of the protected area estate.
The following 54 Action Plans linked to the five Key Objectives will be implemented against
one of three time frames: 0-2 years, 2-5 years or 0-5 years, with many of these Action Plans
also being of an ongoing nature. Each Action Plan has agencies or stakeholder groups
responsible for implementing that Action Plan with lead status for implementation identified in
bold print.
Tourism Queensland will be the agency responsible for coordinating the implementation of this
Plan and will work with agencies and stakeholder groups to assist with their implementation
responsibilities. Responsible agencies and stakeholder groups have been identified in relation to
their policy, management and operational roles as they relate to the specific Action Plans.
Government departments and agencies identified as having responsibilities for implementation
of Action Plans will be expected to incorporate these responsibilities within their current
programs. New activities not currently included in departmental plans will need to be included
in the development or review of corporate plans and budgets or applications for new funding.
Tourism Queensland will work with other agencies to ensure this occurs.
Implementation will need to have some level of flexibility to accommodate changes in priorities
and available resources and will include a process of monitoring and annual reviews. Tourism
Queensland will report progress on implementation of the Plan to Cabinet annually.