Parliament of Environment and Natural Resources Committee Inquiry into Heritage Tourism and Ecotourism in Victoria Draft Submission by the 1. Introduction Tourism Board

Grampians Tourism Board is the peak industry body for tourism in the Grampians . It encompasses (and is directly supported by) the Rural Cities of Ararat and Horsham, Northern Grampians Shire, Southern Grampians Shire and the Pyrenees Shire. Its charter is to develop a coordinated approach to marketing, product development, infrastructure investment, and industry development for the Grampians Region.

Grampians Tourism is providing this submission on behalf of its local government stakeholders (as listed) and the tourism industry of our region.

This submission will address each of the Terms of Reference which the Inquiry has established addressing heritage and eco tourism in the Grampians Tourism region.

It is estimated that tourists spend approximately $175 million in the Grampians region per year, which generates a direct and indirect economic impact of nearly $224 million.

The Grampians Tourism region

1 | P a g e Inquiry into Heritage Tourism and Ecotourism in Victoria Grampians Tourism Board 2. The Current Scope of Heritage and Eco Tourism in the Grampians Tourism Region

Key Products and Experiences: 1. Nature and nature based tourism activities – includes hard and soft outdoor adventure, scenic touring, events, wildlife viewing and other leisure pursuits. Icon destination projects such as the and other state and national parks within the region set the Grampians apart from its competitors. The development of the Grampians Peaks Trail will be a primary driver of future regional investment opportunities; 2. Indigenous heritage and culture – The Grampians and its surrounds has a strong interpretation of cultural indigenous sites and peoples. There are a number of opportunities to further add value to the current suite of sites, activities and products in and around the GNP. 3. Food and Wine – Producers farmgates, the Grampians, Pyrenees and Henty wine . Villages such as Avoca and Great Western also have intimate cellar doors and touring products. 4. Touring – the Grampians Way Scoping Study has identified opportunities that will encourage visitor dispersal and investment in and around the Grampians National Park. Further analysis regarding domestic and international travel patterns in and around the Great Southern Touring Route are key to understanding future opportunities. 5. Arts and Culture – history, gold heritage, galleries and local artists. There is a rich cultural history separate to indigenous.

Emerging: 6. Backpacker experiences 7. Cycle trails and supporting product 8. Health and Well Being 9. Eco tourism.

Key opportunities for growth in Heritage and Eco Tourism will be identified in the forthcoming Grampians Tourism Destination Plan and Gap Analysis – due for completion by February 2014. It is expected the project will identify:  Identify perceived gaps in the region’s tourism offer;  Conduct market research (consumer testing) to confirm and identify product gaps. This would include interviews with the industry/trade;  Identify the barriers of entry to visiting the region and to develop tools to overcome such barriers;  Identify investment opportunities both private and public in the Grampians Tourism region;  Destination-level analysis of key opportunities for investment, including planning and land management opportunities;

2 | P a g e Inquiry into Heritage Tourism and Ecotourism in Victoria Grampians Tourism Board It is expected Heritage and Eco Tourism development will be identified via this plan It could include:  The development of the Grampians Peaks Trail and associated product and investment opportunities associated with this;  In park eco-tourism development compassionate to its surroundings and as per the strict guidelines identified by the Victorian Government;  Eco Tourism accommodation in and around the Grampians region’s historic wine product;  Effective positioning of the Grampians Wine Region’s 150 year history;  Historic wineries in and around the Great Western Wine precinct;  The effective conversion of historic villages such as Avoca and Great Western into viable tourism destinations;  The rich gold history in and around Stawell, St Arnaud and the Mafeking and how it is associated with the neighbouring Goldfields tourism region;  Better positioning and interpretation of the numerous indigenous cultural and rock art sights in and around the Grampians NP and Langi Ghiran State Park;  Natural heritage history in and around the Grampians National Park including key visitor sites such as Zumsteins;  The rich pastoral history of Western Victoria;

Investment in regional tourism destinations, its infrastructure and experience will greatly contribute to the liveability, sustainability and economic growth of regional communities.

3. Inquiry Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference

1. Examining the current scope of ecotourism and heritage tourism in Victoria, including the extent to which the current arrangements maximise the benefits to the local industry;

The Grampians has a limited but high quality of ecotourism and heritage tourism products. These products are accredited businesses that pride themselves on their ecotourism credentials and service provision. They include:

 Auswalk Adventures () – Walking holiday specialist. Australian Tourism Accreditation, Eco Certified, TQUAL Accredited  Boroka Downs Luxury Accommodation (Pomonal) – Eco Certified  Aquilla Eco Lodges (Dunkeld) - Australian Tourism Accreditation, Eco Certified

With the right investment there is opportunity for some high yield ecotourism and heritage tourism projects in the Grampians region. Incentives are needed to encourage investment in both eco and heritage tourism in regional Victoria.

3 | P a g e Inquiry into Heritage Tourism and Ecotourism in Victoria Grampians Tourism Board 2. Examining best practice in ecotourism and heritage tourism;

Grampians Tourism recognises the importance and value of accredited ecotourism and heritage tourism programs that promote best practice. Grampians Tourism recommends the promotion and support of industry to fully utilise such programs.

3. Examining the potential for the development of ecotourism and heritage tourism in Victoria;

From a Grampians region perspective, there is a high level of potential for the development of ecotourism and heritage tourism. Grampians Tourism strategically directs the development of key infrastructure projects that will create frameworks to encourage future investment in ecotourism and heritage tourism projects. Such projects includes:

 The Grampians Way Scoping Study;  The Grampians Peaks Trail Master Plan;  Grampians Tourism Destination Plan and Gap Analysis.

4. Determining the environmental and heritage issues associated with large scale tourism; and

Careful balance required between attracting large numbers and diminishing the experience of attractions. Leadership form a state perspective that recognised such issues is required. Planning and governance overlays then need to reflect this direction.

5. Determining whether the local industry is sufficiently advanced to manage increased tourism and any obstacles to this.

From a regional perspective Grampians Tourism and local government work cooperatively to ensure industry have the required skills to meet such demands. Leadership and direction from a state perspective will ensure the necessary prioritisation from a local level. It needs to be recognised that there is a need for greater support and capacity to assist and support ongoing development of the local industry, particularly in rural/regional areas.

Public Hearings

Grampians Tourism would be pleased to amplify the points made in this submission directly to the Inquiry if any public hearings are planned.

Grampians Tourism appreciates the opportunity to make a submission and wishes the Inquiry well in its important deliberations.

4 | P a g e Inquiry into Heritage Tourism and Ecotourism in Victoria Grampians Tourism Board