Ecotourism in national parks Why are we worried? PRESENTED BY LAURA HAHN NOVEMBER 2018
Overview Nature based tourism demand Primary purpose of national parks - nature conservation Status of national parks - undersized, underfunded, under threat NPAQ approach Proactive, evidence-based ecotourism learnings 8 case studies of multi-day walks in Australian and overseas national parks Developed guidance for investment including leading practices Business case for quality, regional planning, sensitive design, local produce Responsibility and opportunities Photo: Courtesy Paul Donatiu
Ecotourism in national parks Why are we worried? National parks aren't your personal playground, ABC 6 Mar 2014 Increasing demand - Qld, Australia, international Increased pressure to privatise section of national parks Seeking pristine environment/national Park brand Demand will grow Future argument for expansion/revocation Cashing in on green assets will come at a cost, Opinion, Courier Mail, 29 Dec 2017 Prepare for a fight over national parks, Opinion, The Observer, 2 Jan 2018 Environmental message lost as Insta-traffic takes toll on Tasmania s natural wonders, ABC, 22 Jan 2018 Lindeman Island National Park Land to be Privatised, Daily Mercury 2 Jul 2018 QLD national parks lease plan angers conservationists and traditional owners, ABC, 27 Oct 2018 Trails on trial: which human uses are OK for protected areas, The Conversation 31 Oct 2018 Conservation, commerce cross paths on the far north money trail, The Australian, 17 Nov 2018 Crisis in our national parks: how tourists are loving nature to death, The Guardian, 20 Nov 2019
NPAQ s approach National parks for conservation and people to appreciate nature Proactive Shape policy and decision making Evidence based research and case examples Ecotourism done Well is poorly defined Need for more than existing ecotourism framework and best practice Need a funded and implemented Qld Protected Area Strategy including leading practice and better governance/ compliance for visitor management and ecotourism Report will be available soon at npaq.org.au or Conservation@npaq.org.au
National Parks Photo: Courtesy Yvonne Parsons Photo: Courtesy David Ball Conservation - primary purpose Cornerstone of Queensland s biodiversity conservation Public land - equal access Photo: Anonymous
Existing threats/mitigation - national parks Climate change strategic expansion Weeds and pests increased and responsive funding Fire increased and responsive funding Over-visitation/inappropriate development overarching strategy ecological caps, tailored infrastructure, strategic expansion (more destinations) Insensitive and/or poorly governed ecotourism stricter policy, bonds, transparent approvals processes, increased funding for compliance Urgently awaiting Protected Area Strategy - likely not till mid 2019 for progress towards international/state aim - 17% protected areas
New threat / precedent Scenic Rim Trail Proposal Expression of Interest for Thorsborne Trail, Cooloola Great Walk, Whitsunday Island Trail plus Wangetti Trail
New threat / precedent (cont) The Queensland Government will be your partner, and will provide base infrastructure to support private sector investment wherever appropriate will further de-risk projects through environmental and planning approvals, marketing and promotion. Haven t we learned? Up to 60 year leases Communication towers Helicopter pad/s Photo: Courtesy Mick Elcoate (seeking approval) Photo: Zoe (NPAQ Supporter)
NPAQ ecotourism research Demand for supported multi-day walks Revenue, cost (construction and maintenance), profits Ownership and management (governance and authority) Social and environmental impacts Private sector involvement Flow on benefits: visitor direct expenditure, to community, to national parks Community support or opposition. Sources: international guidelines and grey literature, supplemented by consultation with park authorities, commercial operators and those with relevant experience
Practical evidence-based case studies
Leading practice Accommodation adjacent/near rather than within national park Photos: Courtesy of operators
Leading practice (cont) Thorough, transparent impact assessment - long term nature conservation values prioritized Where s the state public consultation? Excerpt 2016 Ecotourism Toolkit:
Leading practice (cont) Infrastructure owned by government (bond if commercially operated) Infrastructure minimal impact thoughtfully design (ecological values) Photo: Courtesy Susanne Cooper
Leading practice (cont) Experience and design tailored to natural values and local context Photos: Courtesy Susanne Cooper
Leading practice (cont) Continual Ranger presence Mandatory orientation and authentic interpretation reinforced
Leading practice (cont) User cap (ecological resilience), one-way, controlled and staggered start Photo: Courtesy Susanne Cooper
Leading practices (cont) All wastes removed Monitoring of selected ecological indicators with corrective action Photos: Courtesy Susanne Cooper
Photos: Courtesy Ana Rousseaud Ecotourism what s the reality? GENUINE FOR NATIONAL PARKS visiting relatively unspoilt natural areas enjoy and appreciate nature promotes conservation low negative visitor impact provides for beneficial active social economic involvement of locals Excerpts of IUCN definition FACADE Greenwashing - use ecofriendly technology to argue for activities that are unsuitable over visitation, backdrop for thrilling activities, intensive activities, resorts/lodges
Guidance for investment CC0 Design and construct quality facilities and infrastructure to reflect leading practice (Note: quality does not necessarily mean luxury). Understand impacts assessment, multiple government approval and governance processes, and evolving requirements Identify direct and indirect benefits to local and regional economy Include in Regional Economic Development Strategies, reflecting the substantial benefits from attracting a new cohort of visitors, and encouraging current visitors to stay longer. Actively promote local produce where practical, providing a new market for local agricultural producers. Understand realistic construction and maintenance costs and challenges - difficult to access locations and national parks constraints Support nature conservation as primary purpose the Cardinal Principle
Photo: Courtesy Ian Stehbens
So what s the government s role? Establish long term plan - strategic growth and management of our National Park Estate (Avoid early piecemeal decisions) Prepare/Fund/Implement Protected Area Strategy Avoid conflict of interest steward/authority vs partner Assess proposals transparently (public) - Reject inappropriate development, condition acceptable risks, hold risk-equivalent bond Ensure operator (not government) bears ecological costs Monitor and enforce compliance and withdraw lease/permit as necessary to protect values
Opportunities for future national parks Secure Qld biodiversity riches and establish new regional destinations Strategic plan to increase the National Park Estate and better manage with tourism as a considered and constrained subset
Photo: Anonymous If not national parks, where will we be able to escape from development, technology and other people?
http://www.npaq.org.au/publications/ kids-in-national-parks-1 http://www.npaq.org.au/publications/ protected connect and protect
Photo: Courtesy Marika Strand Laura Hahn, Conservation Officer, NPAQ Conservation@npaq.org.au 07 3367 0878 www.npaq.org.au