Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2003-2008 - Tourism Queensland

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Queensland is a well-known and recognised destination for ecotourism activities and
experiences. Domestic and international visitors are drawn to Queensland by a combination of
unique and diverse natural attractions and a tourism industry that offers a wide range of high
quality ecotourism products. Queensland’s tourism industry has brought to fruition many of the
potential benefits of ecotourism that were identified in the Queensland Ecotourism Plan
launched in 1997. Great achievements have been made in ‘best practice’ ecotourism
developments in partnerships between various stakeholders including government, industry
and community groups.
Five years on from its launch a review of the implementation of the Queensland Ecotourism
Plan and extensive consultation with key stakeholders indicated a clear need to update the
Plan and continue efforts to date in growing Queensland’s ecotourism industry by providing a
consistent direction for planning, development, management and marketing.
The Vision, Key Objectives and Action Plans contained in the 1997 Queensland Ecotourism
Plan provided a solid framework for successful implementation of the Plan. The Queensland
Ecotourism Plan 2003–2008 presents an updated vision and definition of ecotourism in
Queensland, reflecting development in the ecotourism industry and experience gained since
the release of the 1997 Queensland Ecotourism Plan. The Queensland Ecotourism Plan
2003–2008 recognises the clear focus and direction provided by the 1997 Queensland
Ecotourism Plan by retaining the four Key Objectives from that Plan but also adding a new Key
Objective, Research, to provide a clear research agenda for the new Plan. An updated set of
Action Plans linked to each Key Objective provide the specific projects and activities that will
underpin successful implementation of the Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2003-2008.
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An updated definition
Since the launch of the 1997 Queensland Ecotourism Plan, there has been a continual process
of raising the best practice standards of ecotourism as well as a growing understanding of the
nature of the ecotourism industry in Queensland. These factors led to the need for an updated
definition of ecotourism in Queensland:
“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.”
This definition acknowledges diversity in the industry’s products, the role of natural and cultural
heritage in ecotourism, and the importance of the ‘triple-bottom-line’ ecologically sustainable
development (ESD) approach to managing ecotourism. That is, the need to address economic,
environmental and social / cultural issues associated with any ecotourism development.
Ecotourism in Queensland
Tourism is Queensland’s second largest export industry and fastest growing industry. Tourism is
estimated to contribute $6.3 billion to the Gross State Product (arising from $14.6 billion
expenditure) and directly creates 150,000 full time jobs (1999, Queensland Treasury). Tourism
offers rural and regional areas an alternative employment and income source to traditional
rural and mining industries.