Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2003-2008 - Tourism Queensland

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) – Using, conserving and enhancing the
community’s resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained and
the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased.
Ecosystem – A dynamic complex of plant, animal, fungal and micro-organism communities,
and the associated non-living environment interacting as an ecological unit.
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.
Host community – Groups such as permanent residents, local businesses, and other interest
groups in a destination who have a common interest in maintaining a high quality of life.
Interpretation – Revealing the significance and meanings of natural and associated cultural
phenomena to visitors, usually with the intent of providing a satisfying learning experience and
encouraging more sustainable behaviour.
Market segmentation – The division of a larger consumer market into smaller, homogeneous
groups on the basis of geographical, socio-demographic, psychographic and/or behavioural
characteristics, in order to better effect target marketing and management strategies.
Native title – Recognition in Australian law of Indigenous Australians’ (including Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people) rights and interests in land and waters according to
traditional laws and customs.
Natural areas – Areas that exist in, or are formed by, nature; not artificial; incorporates
cultural aspects.
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Off-site management – Provision of pre-visit (or otherwise off-site) educational and
interpretive materials to raise awareness of management issues and encourage minimum
impact behaviour.
On-site management – Management of visitor impacts and behaviour on-site through the use
of signs, formed tracks or board walks, barriers and the physical presence of management staff.
Protected area – A designated portion of land or water to which regulations and restrictions
have been applied, thereby affording a given degree of protection against on-site activities that
threaten the environmental integrity of the area.
Protected Area Managers – An individual, corporation or agency (whether public or private)
responsible for the planning, management and/or operation of protected areas.
Renewable energy – Energy sources that are practically inexhaustible. Alternatives to nonrenewable
fossil fuels (such as coal and oil). For example solar, hydro and wind energy.
Setting – A term used to describe the character of a place which takes into account its
physical, social and managerial features.
Sustainable development – Development carried out in such a way as to meet the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable tourism – Tourism that can be sustained over the long term because it results in
a net benefit for the social, economic, natural and cultural environments of the area in which it
takes place.
Tourist – A traveller who stays at least 40km away from home for one or more nights.
World Heritage Listing – To identify and protect sites of “outstanding universal value”.