Sustainable Tourism Discussion Paper (and ... - Parks Victoria

Sustainable Tourism
Discussion Paper
Greater Alpine National Parks
2010
Background
Australia's alpine country and eastern highlands provide a rich tourism experience from life in the mountains, fascinating cultural
heritage, particularly unique First Peoples cultural heritage, resort indulgence, nature immersion and stunning landscapes. This has
been recognised recently with the Australian Alps being identified as one of the nation's iconic National Landscapes. This discussion
paper details sustainable tourism concepts and Parks Victoria's role in supporting sustainable tourism.
Current Policy and Management Arrangements
The Victorian Government's Policy for Sustainable Recreation and Tourism on Victoria's Public Land 2002 provides the state-wide
policy setting for tourism on public land. The Policy identifies the following principles:
1. Provide equitable access to public land for a diverse range of appropriate recreation and tourism opportunities;
2. Plan, manage and monitor recreation and tourism use of public land to minimise impacts on natural and cultural values;
3. Provide and maintain appropriate recreation and tourism services and facilities on public land to foster visitor enjoyment and
education and to ensure visitor safety; and
4. Encourage, facilitate and promote opportunities for appropriate recreation and tourism use on public land through research,
communication and stakeholder consultation.
The existing management plans look at tourism from a Licenced Tourism Operator perspective and partnerships with the tourism
industry and the benefits of Nature Based Tourism are not the focus.
Tourism and the Value of Parks
'Victoria's tourism industry is worth an estimated $10.9 billion and accounts for over 160,000 jobs. The Victorian Government’s Victorian
10 Year Tourism and Events Industry Strategy identifies natural attractions as one of Victoria’s key tourism product strengths' (Tourism
Victoria 2008). A nature-based tourism visitor is defined as a visitor who undertakes at least one nature-based tourism activity during
their visit. The most popular activities are going to the beach, bushwalking or rainforest walks, and visiting national parks or state parks
(Tourism Victoria 2008).
Parks not only contribute economically from tourism, but contact with nature enriches our psychological, emotional and spiritual
wellbeing (Parks Forum 2008). Tourism in parks can bring people together and support education and learning. Parks Victoria plays an
important role in tourism policy development, research and development of tourism initiatives, particularly with respect to nature-based
and cultural tourism. To this end, Parks Victoria works with other organisations, such as Tourism Victoria, Victorian Tourism Industry
Council, and regional and local tourism bodies. Parks Victoria will continue to work with industry, government and the community to
facilitate appropriate and sustainable tourism on public land.
Victoria's Nature Based Tourism Strategy 2008-2012 recognises the importance of sustainability in nature-based tourism products and
destinations and describes the following vision for the State: 'Victoria will be recognised as the leading sustainable nature-based tourism
destination in Australia renowned for its diverse and accessible natural attractions' (Tourism Victoria 2008). Five directions have been
identified to achieve this vision:
1. Creating supportive frameworks and partnerships
2. Planning and managing sustainable destinations
3. Developing authentic, memorable experiences
4. Facilitating viable and innovative businesses
5. Effective marketing
Discussion Paper
Greater Alpine National Parks
1

Climate Change and Tourism
Climate change is likely to cause reductions in snow cover, increased risks of wildfires and invasion of weeds and other pests
(Government of Australia Department of Climate Change 2008). Victoria's Nature Based Tourism Strategy 2008-2012 states that
'climate change is anticipated to have profound implications that could fundamentally transform aspects of the tourism sector both here
in Victoria and in other parts of the world' (Tourism Victoria 2008). Climate change for the tourism sector can represent an opportunity;
visitors are 'now seeking experiences and destinations that are actively reducing their impacts on climate change and the size of their
carbon footprint' (Tourism Victoria 2008). This aligns with Parks Victoria Visitor Segmentation research showing that Trail User and
Access Made Easy comprise the bulk of visitors to the area.
For the Greater Alpine National Parks reduced snow cover is likely to affect winter snow based recreation at Dingo Dell and Cresta
Valley at Mount Buffalo and St Gwinear at Baw Baw National Park. Increased risks of wildfires may also reduce the number of days that
the Greater Alpine National Parks are closed to the public.
Climate change may on the other hand mean that the winter closure period for much of the park’s operational road network can be
shortened and visitors may be able to have greater access to areas that become drier.
Parks Victoria's Role in Sustainable Tourism
Parks play an important role in tourism, creating significant benefits for businesses and communities and contributing around $960
million annually to the state economy. Tourism activities within parks take a number of forms:
• facilities and activities Parks Victoria manages directly;
• facilities and activities managed by a third party under a lease;
• activities that are managed under permit or licence; and
• other commercial partnerships.
Facilities and activities that Parks Victoria manages directly Camping areas, hiking trails, roads and tracks, lookouts and the scenic
features of our parks draw visitors and are therefore an important part of Parks Victoria's role in tourism.
Activities that are managed under permit and licence Parks create significant benefits for individual businesses, in particular for
Victoria’s 300 licensed tour operators. Parks Victoria issues permits and licences to allow a company to trade within a park. Examples of
such trade are to offer an activity within a park (such as horse riding, angling, four wheel driving, abseiling or canoeing), or to operate a
ski-hire business or food van service. The Victorian Government's Policy for Sustainable Recreation and Tourism on Victoria's Public
Land 2002 provides some direction for licensed tour operations, stating that: 'Commercial recreation and tourism trade or business
purposes will continue to require the express written consent (licence) of the relevant land management authority... Access to public
land for the public will continue to generally be as of right; except where limited by statute, management plan or other management
reason. General public access or specific activities may be restricted at certain sites for reasons such as protection of natural and
cultural values, visitor safety and user conflicts.' (DSE 2002)
Permits include a range of conditions to ensure the activities are compatible with park management objectives. Some activities have
been considered inappropriate for a commercial tour in the parks, including guided deer hunting and hunting outfitters. Licensed tour
operators play a significant role in providing access to parks and educating visitors about their values and appropriate use. Visitors who
may not normally be able to experience the parks’ features or undertake specific activities because of lack of suitable equipment,
transport or experience, can do so on commercial tours.
Recreational activities undertaken by clubs, volunteers, educational institutions and other organised groups which are not conducted as
a commercial service do not require a licence.
Other commercial partnerships Several Parks Victoria facilities across the state are managed under a commercial lease arrangement.
The Mount Buffalo Chalet is an example of such an arrangement within the planning area. Generally, a business will apply for a lease
through a tender process following a call for expressions of interest. Leases aim at ensuring that park values are protected and that the
services provided to park visitors are appropriate.
In some cases, Parks Victoria undertakes Public, Private Partnerships (PPP) which facilitates public and private sector investment in the
establishment and ongoing management of tourism infrastructure. Although there are no current examples of this model within the
planning area there are potential opportunities for this investment model.
Aboriginal Tourism
Parks provide either the site or the setting for the majority of Victoria’s opportunities for nature and Aboriginal cultural-based tourism and
recreational activities. Aboriginal Tourism is the fastest growing sector of Australia's tourism market and the Alps and Parks provide very
good potential for quality and unique tourism opportunities by First Peoples or Traditional Owners. Traditional Owners are currently
regularly involved in ceremonies, events and launches of products and management plans. Some Traditional Owners deliver their own
face-to-face presentations. Some educators and tour operators licensed to operate on land managed by Parks Victoria also supply
Aboriginal cultural heritage information in addition to general park information. Parks Victoria's Indigenous Partnership Strategy and
Action Plan outlines Parks Victoria's approach to working in collaboration with Traditional Owners.
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Victoria's Aboriginal Tourism Development Plan 2006-2009 states 'Victoria's Indigenous tourism sector has been growing steadily for
almost a decade, proving that it adds a vital and engaging dimension to the State's tourism product' (Tourism Victoria 2006).
Market research has recently assessed awareness of Aboriginal tourism among overseas visitors to Australia. Europe, led by Germany,
has emerged as the strongest market for Aboriginal tourism. About 80% of German tourists strongly agreed, or agreed that Australia
offered very interesting cultural experiences. Visitors from European countries generally indicated a high level of interest and knowledge
about Indigenous culture. In a recent survey of potential Chinese visitors, 39% expressed interest in Indigenous cultural products.
Significantly, 37% of international visitors expressing high or medium interest in Aboriginal tourism left Australia without participating in
an Aboriginal tourism experience.
Aboriginal Tourism Victoria encourages the development of quality Aboriginal tourism products throughout Victoria. Parks Victoria liaises
with Indigenous business people to raise awareness of business opportunities so that an economic, social and cultural benefit to
Traditional Owners can be realised. Parks Victoria is committed to working with Traditional Owners, Tourism Victoria, the Koori
Business Network and Aboriginal Tourism Victoria to implement these objectives.
The establishment of iconic Indigenous tourism attractions in the Alps may enhance visitor experiences and appreciation of Indigenous
culture and heritage. A sustainable facility which combines visitor information, a park interpretation centre and Aboriginal cultural centre,
(or Keeping Place), may emerge as an opportunity in the future.
Australian Alps National Landscapes
Tourism Australia's National Landscapes Program is a partnership between the conservation and tourism management sectors. The
program captures and promotes the best of Australia to achieve conservation, social and economic outcomes for the country and its
regions. The Australia Alps has been included as part of the Australian National Landscapes branding for Australia's tourism marketing.
A National Landscape goes beyond individual national park boundaries or iconic visitor attractions. It is not about municipal or State
boundaries; instead, a National Landscape is united by its world class experiences of environmental or cultural significance. This
approach encourages greater collaboration between the parties that govern, preserve and promote it.
An Australian Alps Tourism Master Plan has been drafted by the National Landscape Program and public comments are invited until
early October. Parks Victoria is providing input into the Master Plan. A significant part of this landscape scale partnership across tourism
and conservation is achieved through the Australian Alps National Parks Co-operative Management Program, which includes the
Commonwealth Government's Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, ACT's Parks Conservation and Lands,
NSW's National Parks and Wildlife Service and Parks Victoria.
Regional Tourism
Great park tourism experiences typically depend on more than what a park offers on its own. Enhancing the standard of service we
provide, as well as linking on-park with off-park tourism products and services (e.g. walks, roads, lookouts, interpretation centres,
accommodation, food and wine, local products, and Aboriginal heritage) help create and enhance great park tourism experiences.
The Greater Alpine national parks form a significant nature-based element of the ‘tourism regions' known in Victoria as the 'High
Country' and 'Gippsland' within Tourism Victoria's Regional Tourism Action Plan 2009-2012. Victoria's High Country has a tourism
intensive economy with a high proportion of tourism related businesses contributing to local employment while tourism in Gippsland is
emerging with the growing awareness of its nature-based experiences.
The major opportunities for tourism development in Victoria's High Country are improving consumer awareness of the year-round
tourism experiences, facilitating quality Traditional Owner cultural tourism products and assisting the facilitation of new investment to
build its appeal as a year-round destination. Regional Tourism Action Plan 2009-2012 discusses a number of priorities for Victoria's High
Country and Gippsland Regions for the Greater Alpine National Parks.
For the Gippsland Region, infrastructure development priorities are listed as:
• wild walks; and
• eco-cabins in Crown land locations.
For the High Country Region, priorities are listed as:
• development of infrastructure for redevelopment of the Mount Buffalo Chalet and adventure tourism such as an alpine trail with
associated visitor accommodation (e.g. the Mount Hotham and Falls Creek Wild Walk);
• working with the alpine resorts to improve on-mountain product and year-round visitation with a key focus being implementation of
Non Winter Nature-based Tourism Destination Development Study for the Victorian Alpine Resorts; and
• working with industry and relevant government agencies to realise the direction of the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy Part 1 / Alpine
Resorts Strategy 2020 Part 2.
Directions
Discussion Paper
Greater Alpine National Parks
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The major directions for the sustainable tourism are to continue to work with others to deliver memorable experiences. The experiences
should be sustainable and deliver an economic benefit to regional Victoria. There are also significant opportunities to integrate and
facilitate the development of quality products in Aboriginal tourism and provide economic, social and cultural benefit to Traditional Owner
communities. Summer mountain tourism is likely to be increased as a result of climate change where people seek a cooler holiday
experience at altitude. Victoria’s Alpine Resorts are working toward all season tourism and recognise the enormous potential to provide
accommodation and infrastructure to support increased summer park visitation. An increase in supporting infrastructure in parks such as
walking tracks linking to resorts, and interpretative panels will greatly increase the experience offered in park from Alpine resort visitors.
Discussion Points
Sustainable tourism in the Greater Alpine parks may include new and existing opportunities for both the public and private sector to
improve the tourism and visitor experience. Mt Buffalo Chalet is one notable example where public and private sector investment may
result in the provision of improved tourism and visitor facilities within a park. Other examples include long distance walks supported by
appropriate accommodation, mountain bike trails, adventure touring, visitor centres and improved Alpine Huts for visitor accommodation
See Post Settlement Discussion Paper.
• What opportunities for sustainable tourism and visitor facilities do you believe are important for private sector investment?
• What role do the parks have in the provision of tourism and visitor products?
• What opportunities for Aboriginal tourism could the Greater Alpine national parks provide?
Further Reading
• Board of Alpine Resorts Tourism, Non Winter Nature-based Tourism Destination Development Study for the Victorian Alpine
Resorts.
• Government of Victoria DIIRD 2006 Victorian 10 Year Tourism and Events Industry Strategy.
• Government of Victoria DSE 2004 Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy.
• Government of Victoria DSE 2004 Policy for Sustainable Recreation and Tourism on Victoria's Public Land 2002.
• Parks Victoria 2005 Indigenous Partnership Strategy and Action Plan.
• Parks Forum 2008 The Value of Parks.
• Tourism Victoria 2006 Victoria's Aboriginal Tourism Development Plan 2006-2009.
• Tourism Victoria 2008 Regional Tourism Action Plan 2009-2012.
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Comments on the discussion paper
Comments on the discussion paper
Submitted by Louise Rose (Parks Victoria) on Wed, 21/04/2010 - 20:17
Hi Ian,
What is the current accepted value of Nature Based Tourism as part of the @$10Billion Tourism sector? Also are there goals or
projections set for this in Victoria?
-- Dale McCabe - 27 Jul 2009
Dale,
Dianne Smith, Manager Tourism Partnerships at Parks Victoria, has provided me with this response: The answer is it is worth $2.6b of
Gross State Product, based on the spending by visitors in Victoria who have nbt experience (Ernst and Young study 2009) it is also
worth 41,200 jobs, which is a quarter of our total Victorian tourism workforce.
-- Louise Rose - 28 Jul 2009
Regarding Climate Change and Alps the other key issue is the drying of inland water bodies, ie lake and river apart from the snow loss.
Many recreational water activities are dependent on these water bodies, eg fishing, canoeing, water skiing etc. Therefore the activities
are at risk of declining as well as cross country and downhill skiing. As longer vacations in parks are related to a mix of activities these
may also have multiplier effects on decisions to vacation in the alps.
-- Dino Zanon - 28 Jul 2009
Ross Passalaqua, CEO Falls Creek Resort Management, has provided the following input into plan preparation
Falls Creek Resort Management Input July 2009. This document raises concepts embedded in this tourism discussion. In particular the
Falls Creek Resort Management document notes seamless visitor movement between the Resort and the national park, all seasons
occupancy within the resorts 5000 plus beds and nature-based tourism as important features.
How can we better link the areas outside the national park with the national parks?
-- Louise Rose - 28 Jul 2009
HEALTHY PARKS HEALTHY PEOPLE.
There needs to be recognition that not all visitations will deliver a high economic return per visitation. It is true that skiers and tourists
wanting a once in 'a lifetime tourism experience' do contribute more economic return as they are generally paying for resources they
have not purchased (ski hire, acces to 4wd, horse hire,kyaks etc etc). However, the regular visitor whose visitations are a substantial
part of their lifestyle contribute economically on a more frequent basis and with the resources that they have purchased, the sum total of
their economic contribution is therefore quite substantial.
Therefore a substantial effort needs to be directed towards maintaining and enhancing the continuity of these "cheaper' regular
visitations - these are your bread and butter customers.
As a starter i would suggest considering not having a fixed access and closure date for the high country in recognition of climate change
- there are bound to be summer months now when access is no longer sought due to widfires in public lands and/or at home.
As well as making a dollar, we need to be actively assuring the health of our people by not excluding or reducing what must be
recognised by now as lifestyle visitations which by their enduring nature are part of our cultural heritage.
-- Andrew Inglis - 07 Aug 2009
Andrew your point is correct, many visitors using basic facilities are contributing to their health and wellbeing through contact with
nature. A discussion paper titled Visitor Facilities will come out in a week or two that will address this. Stay tuned.
-- Louise Rose - 07 Aug 2009
This is a good point Andrew l think the recognition of the " bread and butter" user's is very important by acknowledging their participation
you are also encouraging an attitude of ownership and there for responsibility.
-- Kerry Biggs - 10 Aug 2009
Tourism and Recreation Reference Group
Given the significant socio economic benefit of $2.6b, 41,200 jobs (25% of workforce as noted) shouldn't the Tourism and Recreation
stakeholders be given an equal standing as ESAG and VAARG? Rightly so Environmental/Scientific (Conservation) as well as
Discussion Paper
Greater Alpine National Parks
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Indigenous Cultural apsirations and advice are catered to. I urge that a Reference Group for recreational and tourism stakeholders be
formed to provide input to the Plan. Consider the groups that are easily identifiable (outside of Tourism, just the recreational
participants), bushwalking, bird watching, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, nordic skiing, fishing, 4Wheel driving, hunting, cylcing and
mountain bike riding, rock climbing...it is glaringly obvious that whilst Conservation and Cultural values are specifically catered to no
similar opportunity besides fragmented engagement of recreational stakeholders is provided for.
Whilst at first glance the Recreational groups mentioned might seem quite different, all I am confident enjoy existing levels of access to
the Greater Alpine National Park, value the natural features, conservation values and could contribute significantly to questions of future
access and management. Who advises the AAC, and therefore the Minister in relation to Tourism and Recreation interests and
experience, scientists and conservationists?
-- Dale McCabe - 15 Aug 2009
Dale, thanks for the comments. The Alpine Advisory Committee (AAC) has five members with recreational experience and one with
tourism experience. So the AAC will have expertise surrounding tourism and recreation within it. Parks Victoria also has a Visitor
Research Branch and Tourism Branch which will provide expertise to the AAC. Your advice on a separate group, Recreation and
Tourism Advisory Committee (RTAG) was discussed by the Project Control Group (an internal Parks Victoria and DSE group) on Friday.
One action from this meeting was to investigate the RTAG further and draft some terms of reference to ensure the RTAG would not
duplicate duties performed by the AAC. I'll advise the outcome of this work as soon as it has been done and deliberated.
Regards
-- Louise Rose - 15 Aug 2009
Comments from the team at Tourism Alliance Victoria re Sustainable Tourism Discussion Paper
TAV_comments_on_sustainable_tourism_in_the_Greater_Alpine_parks.pdf
-- Kristina Burke
Discussion Paper covers all the main points well. In terms of the three discussion questions you've asked please note my thoughts:
1. Opportunities for private sector investment: I would like Parks Victoria to play a far more active role in tourism particularly to think, act
and faciliate commercial tourism outcomes. This includes encouraging a wide range of accommodation from camp sites to high quality
eco-resorts and wilderness retreats, tours and further development of its nature based attractions. Also long term leases and the
provision of a 'commercial environment' would be welcome to facilitate greater private sector investment in and around Crown Land.
2. Role of Parks Victoria in the provision of tourism products: As mentioned above I see Parks Victoria becoming further involved as a
commercial tourism operator themselves and encouraging priviate sector partnerships. It happens now to an extent but I would like
Parks Victoria to commit to a more commercial approach to its tourism assets which in turn can raise revenue for general operations.
This could include more user-pays access areas and market rate accommodation prices, and would also extend to actively participating
in tourism industry groups as an operator as well as a land manager and contribute to co-operatively marketing and developing this
tourism region. As a key stakeholder of the Australian Alps National Landscape it is important Parks Victoria helps develop international
standard and commissionable product in this region.
3. Opportunities for Aboriginal tourism: Identifying, interpreting and marketing more aboriginal cultural sites would be welcome in the
Alpine Park. This could be extended to other environmentally and culturally significant sites with Aboriginal sites being included in
overall interpretation of an area rather than being treated separately. Signs, maps, tours, guided walks could all reflect these newly
interpreted sites.
Kind regards
-- Terry Robinson - 04 Sep 2009- CEO Destination Gippsland
The Tourism & Transport Forum have provided the following submission:
Tourism and Transport Forum submission
-- Ian Foletta - 15 Feb 2010
I am very concerned about the Parks future for Tourism and the impact Climate Change Debate has on the whole for maintaining the
Parks in Australia. As a Tourism Operator I Hear Clients asking all the time..Will Parks Vic 'Lock up' access to us All in the future?
Brett.
-- Brett Hadden - 25 Mar 2010
Brett, thanks for your input. You can see from the tourism discussion paper that 'locking up parks' is certainly not a direction we're
pursuing.
-- Louise Rose - 25 Mar 2010
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