The Government’s Parks 21 Plan is our commitment to work with the tourism industry to drive sustainable tourism in our parks.
The first progress report for the landmark agreement demonstrates that significant progress has been made against key objectives in the Plan, resulting in greater tourism in our natural areas.
The report shows that the proportion of visitors to Tasmania that visit a national park has improved to 39 per cent in 2015 16, up from a low of 33 per cent in 2013 14 under the former Government.
Specific landmarks reached under the agreement include:
• consulting the tourism industry through the TICT in the prioritisation of projects funded through the Government’s $8 million Tourism Infrastructure Fund;
• the opening of the Three Capes Track;
• a visitor infrastructure audit by the Parks and Wildlife Service; and,
• managing assessment and approvals for projects flowing through the Expression of Interest (EOI) process encouraging new sustainable commercial tourism activities in parks and reserves.
The success of the Three Capes Track is also highlighted in the progress report, with gross revenue raised through the sale of Three Capes Track Experiences sitting at a phenomenal $3.3 million dollars in the 10 months since it opened.
This has surpassed all expectations, and validates the Government’s policy of unlocking our national parks and reserves to sensitive and appropriate tourism developments.
Other information in the report shows that gross revenue raised through the Parks and Wildlife Service’s park entry fees and business enterprises has risen by 10 per cent over the last two financial years; from $12.57 million dollars in 2014-15, to $13.85 million dollars in 2015-16.
Of significance in these figures is an 18 per cent increase in the revenue from the sale of park passes. This equates to an increase of more than $1 million that the Parks and Wildlife Service retains and reinvests in visitor services and infrastructure and park management initiatives, ensuring a high-quality, safe and sustainable visitor experience.
The Parks 21 2016 Progress Report is available on the Parks and Wildlife Service website at http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=38968
Matthew Groom, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage