Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2016-2020
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Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2016–2020 Prepared by: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing. ©State of Queensland, 2016. Bp2128. September 2016. Front cover: Mountain biking, South Molle Island. Photo: © Justin Heitman. Photos right: © Queensland Government. All other photos are © Tourism and Events Queensland unless otherwise specified. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY) licence. Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. For more information on this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask then to telephone Library Services on +61 7 3170 5470. This publication can be made available in an alternative format (e.g. large print or audiotape) on request for people with vision impairment; phone +61 7 3170 5470 or email [email protected]. Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2016–2020 Foreword Our breathtaking natural environment in Queensland inspires millions of visitors every year. From the world-heritage Great Barrier Reef to the subtropical rainforests of the Gold Coast hinterland —a Queensland ecotourism experience is unmatched anywhere in the world. The care and sustainability of our natural and cultural assets makes our ecotourism industry strong. We have an opportunity to build our reputation around the world as a tourism destination focussed on conservation of our diverse landscape, unique natural wonders and significant cultural heritage. The Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2016–2020 points to a better way forward in partnership with the tourism industry, Traditional Owners, conservation and research sectors and the community. It is through these partnerships that we will seize the opportunity to create visitor experiences unique to Queensland and inspire learning, conservation and memories. The plan sets out our vision to support sustainable growth, protect the environment and deliver new ecotourism experiences for our visitors. We are confident this plan will guide our ecotourism industry from strength to strength. The Queensland Government looks forward to working with you to see the vision we share for a prosperous future become a reality. Steven Miles MP Kate Jones MP Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for Education and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef Minister for Tourism and Major Events iii Contents Foreword ....................................................................................................................................iii Executive summary .....................................................................................................................1 Setting our new direction ...........................................................................................................2 A fresh approach to ecotourism in Queensland ..........................................................................2 What is ecotourism .....................................................................................................................4 The value of ecotourism ..............................................................................................................4 Our partnerships ........................................................................................................................6 Meeting the challenges ..............................................................................................................8 Focus on visitor experience ..........................................................................................................8 Foster investment and innovation ................................................................................................9 Our vision ..................................................................................................................................10 Our guiding principle ..................................................................................................................10 Our promise ...............................................................................................................................10 Our strategic directions ..............................................................................................................10 1. Driving innovation in ecotourism experiences .........................................................................12 2. Showcasing the world renowned Great Barrier Reef ...............................................................13 3. Stimulating investment in new and refurbished ecotourism opportunities ..............................14 4. Expanding authentic Indigenous ecotourism experiences .......................................................14 5. Promoting Queensland’s world-class ecotourism experiences ................................................16 Action plan .................................................................................................................................18 Action plan (continued) ..............................................................................................................20 Appendix 1 .................................................................................................................................21 Actions from Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan ..................................................................21 Appendix 2 .................................................................................................................................22 Key to acronyms...........................................................................................................................22 iv Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2016–2020 Executive summary The Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2016–2020 (the plan) responds to the changes and challenges impacting the tourism industry and presents a fresh approach to ecotourism. Our vision for Queensland is an internationally celebrated ecotourism destination, delivering ecotourism in world-class interpretation and experiences that support the conservation of Queensland special natural places and unique Indigenous and cultural heritage. Our guiding Queensland’s treasured natural and cultural assets will be protected principle and conserved for current and future generations to enjoy. Our promise Unforgettable ecotourism experiences that exceed visitors’ expectations to our and create lasting memories of Queensland’s outstanding natural and visitors cultural areas and unique wildlife. The plan’s vision, guiding principle and promise set our path right ecotourism product or development in the right location for the sustainable development of Queensland’s ecotourism undertaken by the right proponent. industry. The plan will foster best practice, innovative development that provides a positive contribution back to Authentic cultural experiences present a unique prospect to Queensland’s natural areas and cultural heritage assets, extend Queensland’s competitive advantage. Opportunities for community and economy. The plan also complements the Indigenous ecotourism will be supported and progressed in strategic priorities within Advancing Tourism 2016–20 (draft). partnership with local Indigenous groups. To achieve our vision and deliver on our promise, the plan A further priority is to reach and effectively engage with visitors in outlines five new strategic directions: a way that inspires them to visit and spend time in Queensland’s national and marine parks and other natural areas. The focus will 1. Driving innovation in ecotourism experiences. be on raising the profile of our World Heritage areas and other 2. Showcasing the world renowned Great Barrier Reef. special places through innovative interpretation, the smart use of consumer-orientated technology and communication strategies. 3. Stimulating investment in new and refurbished ecotourism opportunities. With Queensland’s natural environment as its strongest competitive advantage, and the concerted efforts of the 4. Expanding authentic Indigenous ecotourism experiences. Queensland Government and tourism industry, ecotourism is 5. Promoting Queensland’s world-class ecotourism experiences. now an important driver towards increasing visitor expenditure in Queensland. Continued commitments to conserving our natural assets and collaboration and partnerships are cornerstones of the plan. Striking a balance between encouraging best practice ecotourism experiences that showcase Queensland’s unique natural landscapes, cultural heritage, wildlife and special places and protecting the environments that visitors have come to enjoy, is critical. Prospective developments will be required to meet the highest environmental standards and industry practices. A cross- agency approach will be vital to attract new investment that delivers the 1 Park National Hillsborough Cape Setting our new direction A fresh approach to ecotourism The plan is the culmination of collaboration between the in Queensland