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From: "Jeanette Seignior Executive Officer EGRBTA" < > Date: 30 July 2013 7:58:21 PM AEST To: [email protected] Subject: submission regarding the inquiry into Heritage Tourism and Eco-tourism in to you on behalf of Business and Tourism East Inc. (BTEG

To the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, I am making this submission regarding the inquiry into Heritage Tourism and Eco-tourism in Victoria on behalf of Business and Tourism Inc. (BTEG).

BTEG encompasses ten business and tourism associations and chamber of commerce in East Gippsland and represents over three hundred and sixty businesses communities which include the towns of , Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, Metung, , Mallacoota, , Bruthen, Buchan and Nowa Nowa.

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Many of these business communities are reliant on the income from the natural environment, both recreation and commercial activities. The great outdoors are a major attraction for lifestyle and tourism in East Gippsland. Heritage Tourism is also an important attribute of East Gippsland due to strong local Indigenous culture and more recent history relating to gold-mining, commercial fishing, agricultural practices and community life. BTEG have considered the 5 terms of reference given by your committee and would like to submit the following responses and comments. Victoria, geographically and culturally does allow great Eco Tourism and Heritage Tourism experiences which are available in East Gippsland, both indoors and outdoors. It does appear there is no one active or unified voice to monitor, support or promote Eco-Tourism and Heritage Tourism in Victoria.

Currently Eco-Tourism does involve Parks Victoria and DEPI as the main land managers and about 300 businesses (Licensed Tour Operators) involved in running activities on government or private land. Other organisations that give an environmental experience include Zoos, Catchment Authorities and Environmental groups.

Heritage Tourism has many organisations involved including Government Agencies, Indigenous Communities, Historical Societies, National Trust and private business. An umbrella group would be able to tackle some of the issues in the terms of reference. We see that there is an opportunity to create an Eco-Tourism and Historic Tourism Umbrella group in Victoria with a unified voice with support from Tourism Victoria.

When determining the scope of Eco-tourism, many terms are used. There are no obvious boundaries except to say, Eco-tourism is generally an interpretative experience based on learning more. Generally it is not curriculum based but each activity is suited to the location and participants.

Currently terms such as nature-based tourism, adventure tourism and outdoor tourism are often used. Each term does have a certain niche but there is confusion. The term Heritage Tourism also has various other names such as Historic Tourism, Indigenous Tourism and often involves community groups including Historical Societies, Family History Group and the local Indigenous people. Therefore we recommend that Tourism Victoria define the various forms of Eco-Tourism and Heritage Tourism and apply consistent terminology.

As with many industries, including tourism and general business, there are set bench-marks and formal guidelines. Within Eco-Tourism and Heritage Tourism there is very few accreditation or formal guidelines to assure the participant of a standard or level of training. Adventure Tourism does set Industry standards for kayaking, bush walking, cycling, boating, rock-climbing and hot air ballooning. Currently any person can say they are a quality guide without any formal process or accreditation.

Eco-Tourism Australia does have an accreditation program for guides through the TAFE system but unfortunately there is very little support or interest in Victoria. The Tourism Industry needs a well-supported package of training to anyone wishing to act as a guide in the Eco-Tourism or Heritage Tourism industries. The training packages could start at basic 2 day (Cert 1) through to

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12 month (Cert 4 level). Many other industries including commercial boating and food handling has similar level of training to ensure consistency and quality.

We recommend that Tourism Victoria investigate the possibility of implementing an appropriate accredited training package or at the very least set standards for any person delivering an Eco-tourism or Heritage Tourism activities.

The concept of "large scale" activities in the Eco-Tourism and Heritage Tourism has created concerns in the past with regard to over exploiting the uniqueness of an area or a structure. Eco-Tourism and Heritage Tourism is about the experience. There are very few places where there is space for large group with the experience is still number one priority. It is acknowledged for any business to be financial viable it does need to be involved in a large operational base for activities.

We recommend a feasibility study is completed to investigate the opportunity to identify a few key locations in East Gippsland where large groups can obtain a quality interpretative experience without damaging the local area.

Tourism in East Gippsland is very vibrant with a good range of opportunities for tourists to the area. For Eco-tourism and Heritage-Tourism to be identified as a major part of the local tourism industry, experienced business operators need to be more involved in the long term promotion of the environment and historical values of East Gippsland. We would welcome and encourage a formal Eco-Tourism and/or Heritage Tourism representative to existing East Gippsland Tourism Industry groups such as BTEG, East Gippsland Tourism Advisory Board, East Gippsland Marketing, Coastal Board and River Catchment Boards .

The BTEG Executive would welcome an opportunity to speak with the Inquiry Committee on the importance of Eco-tourism and Heritage Tourism in East Gippsland. We look forward to reading your final report. Yours Sincerely

Jeanette Seignior Executive Officer Business & Tourism East Gippsland Inc.

111 Main Street P.O. Box 866 Bairnsdale VIC 3875

www.bteg.com.au www.eastgippslandbusinessawards.com.au www.discovereastgippsland.com.au

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Association No. A0047132W ABN 34 582 573 173

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