2002 - 2003 Annual Report - Tourism Australia

Ecologically Sustainable Development
The ATC has a statutory
responsibility in relation to
Ecologically Sustainable
Development.
The Australian Tourist
Commission Act (1987) defines
the ATC’s role as:
Section 6 (c)
To work with other relevant
agencies to promote the
principles of ecologically
sustainable development set
out in subsection 21 (3) of the
Natural Heritage Trust of
Australia Act 1997 and to seek to
raise awareness of the social and
cultural impacts of international
tourism in Australia.
Section 7 (e)
To closely monitor and report
the effects of international
tourism on Australia’s natural
environment and society.
Section 8 (b)
‘Powers of the Commission’
To provide information and
advice to assist sensitive,
environmentally and socially
sound development of the
Australian tourism industry.
Section 8 (c)
To undertake research and
disseminate information obtained
from the research.
Section 13 (3) –
Appointment of Members
to the Board of Directors
At least one of the persons
appointed as a member by the
Minister shall be a person who
has environmental or sociological
expertise relevant to the tourism
industry.
In February 2003 the Board
approved a sustainable tourism
action plan for the ATC.This plan
provides a framework for the
ATC to meet its statutory
responsibilities regarding
sustainable tourism, and wherever
possible, contribute to ensuring
the continued viability of the
industry over the long-term
through sustainable and
responsible tourism marketing
practices.The ATC’s approach to
developing a plan for sustainable
tourism is based on:
• Developing beneficial partnerships
which contribute to the long-term
environmental, social and economic
sustainability of the tourism
industry;
• Developing a reliable knowledge
base to enable effective decision
making processes which integrate
both long-term and short-term
economic, environmental and social
considerations;
• Creating a sustainable tourism
focus for ATC marketing activities;
• Creating a high profile for best
practice sustainable tourism
product; and
• Improving the ATC’s corporate
environmental performance
Highlights and activities
• The ATC participated in the
Sustainable Tourism Roundtable
established in 2001/02 with the
Department of Industry,Tourism
and Resources (DITR).
• The ATC has participated in
discussions with Environment
Australia (incorporating the
Australian Heritage Commission);
DITR; the Indigenous Tourism
Leaders Group; the Bureau of
Tourism Research; Cooperative
Research Centre for Sustainable
Tourism; Ecotourism Australia and
Green Globe 21.The Commission
also joined the National Tourism
and Heritage Taskforce of the
Environment Protection and
Heritage Council.
• Information on the ATC’s position
on sustainable tourism, with links
to agencies and resources, were
added to the ATC’s industry
website, ATC Online.
• The ATC worked with Ecotourism
Australia to profile accredited
ecotourism product at ATE.
• A review of the ATC’s
environmental management
systems and practices was
completed in June 2003. As a
result, the ATC is in the process
of updating its environmental
management practices.
• Consumer information on
responsible tourism was added
to the ATC’s consumer website,
australia.com.
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