Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2003-2008 - Tourism Queensland

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APPENDICES Appendix 1 Ecotourism Principles and Best Practice Ecological Sustainable Development and the Triple-Bottom-Line Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD) is a concept that promotes 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. ESD requires a commitment to ecological, economic and social/cultural sustainability – commonly referred to as the ‘triple-bottom-line’. 30 Ecotourism is an industry recognised for its potential to lead in implementation of ESD principles, and is seen as a role model for other sectors of the tourism industry as a leader in ESD practices and ‘triple-bottom-line’ reporting. Triple bottom line reporting involves measuring success of the business on ecological and social performance as well as the traditional measure of success – economic performance. The 1997 Queensland Ecotourism Plan recognised that while all tourism should be sustainable – ecologically, economically and socially, the ecotourism sector has a particular role to play in ensuring ecological sustainability. Ecotourism operators are recognised as leaders in the uptake of sustainable technologies and management systems, leading the whole tourism industry and educating visitors at the same time. The following sections outline the key principles of ecotourism, in particular the way that they relate to ‘triple-bottom-line’ requirements. Ecological, social and economic sustainability are addressed separately, however in reality the three elements are strongly interlinked. For example, ecologically sustainable practices in waste minimisation can reduce operating costs, resulting in a more profitable business that will have greater capacity to contribute to conservation, provide stable employment opportunities and purchase more goods and services from local suppliers. Ecological sustainability The challenge for Queensland’s ecotourism industry is to develop the State’s ecotourism capacity and the quality of tourism products without adversely affecting the environment on which it depends. This involves ensuring that the type, location and level of ecotourism use do not harm Queensland’s natural areas and that management is adequate to sustain appropriate levels of ecotourism. Factors such as the type of ecosystem, tenure, visitation demands, existing infrastructure, potential for additional visitor infrastructure and management styles, will all affect the measures required to ensure ecological sustainability at ecotourism sites. Visitor management through permit conditions and provision of infrastructure can assist with achieving ecological sustainability, however in some instances limiting access to and use of sensitive environmental areas for ecotourism (and other) activities may be necessary to avoid overuse and to preserve diversity in Queensland’s biosystems. In addition to contributing to ecological sustainability through minimal impact activities, ecotourism is required to contribute actively to conservation. There are a variety of ways this
can be achieved – direct contributions to conservation by ecotourism businesses may involve participating or supporting research and monitoring, assisting with natural resource management activities, the conduct of interpretive programs which educate visitors about natural area management and general environmental issues, and returning a percentage of revenue to the management of natural areas visited. Independent visitors can contribute to conservation of natural areas visited by adhering to visitor codes of practice / minimal impact techniques, participating in management surveys, reporting inappropriate behaviour to managers and rangers, picking up litter on route and participating in organised community service activities (such as clean ups, weeding, scientific research) in natural areas. Ecologically sustainable practices are critical at a site level, however, ‘ecological sustainability’ encompasses broader practices such as minimising the use of non-renewable resources like water and energy and using renewable energy wherever possible, in offices and accommodation. Minimising usage of chemicals (such as cleaning products) and minimising solid waste (from excess packaging, office wastes, etc) are also key aspects of ecological sustainability. Social sustainability Social and cultural sustainability are fundamental aspects of ESD. The benefits of ecotourism should outweigh any cost to the host community and the local environment. Achieving social and cultural sustainability will require that tourism operators involve the local community in the development and management of their tourism ventures, in ways that ensure the local community derives genuine benefits from tourism occurring in their local area. Benefits from tourism to local communities should include employment, stimulating demand for locally produced and owned goods and services, provision of additional infrastructure that benefits local communities as well as visitors, investment in conservation and management of the local environment and a sense of pride in the local community. 31 Presentation of local communities through interpretive programs and activities that encourage interaction between visitors and local residents should aim to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the local lifestyle and culture, ensuring respect for the local community in destinations visited. Respect for local cultural heritage, particularly indigenous culture, is a key aspect in ensuring the social sustainability of ecotourism. Economic sustainability Underpinning an operation’s ability to commit to ESD is the need for the business to be economically sustainable. A profitable business will have greater capacity to contribute to conservation and invest in sustainable technology as well as provide stable employment opportunities for the local community and purchase more locally produced and owned goods and services. An economically sustainable ecotourism industry in Queensland requires effort by both the private and public sectors. The private sector will contribute to an economically sustainable ecotourism industry by following best practice business management principles, engaging expertise in business management practices when appropriate and meeting legal responsibilities and obligations. The public sector also has a key role to play in fostering an economically sustainable ecotourism industry, through recognising the commercial realities and pressures of operating a tourism enterprise and ensuring a business-friendly regulatory environment.
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 and 12: Ecotourism is a major part of Queen
Page 13 and 14: Ecotourism - the industry The 1997
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: Ecologically Sustainable Developmen
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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