Investing in Sustainable Tourism

22 September 2009

At a free seminar in Hobart today experts in tourism sustainability provided local tourism operators a range of insights and hands-on information to help them build sustainable tourism operations.

Speaking at the seminar the Minister Assisting the Premier on Climate Change, Lisa Singh, said Tasmania’s natural and cultural assets formed the cornerstones of our State’s tourism brand.

Ms Singh said business ventures committed to protecting and enhancing these assets are crucial for Tasmania’s future success as a world-class visitor destination.

“A number of Tasmanian tourism ventures are already world-renowned for their eco-friendly credentials and have been rewarded for their efforts in sustainable practice,” Ms Singh said.

“Some recent Tasmanian award winners include the;

• Overland Track, recipient of the 2008 Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism;
• Telstra’s National Social Responsibility Award 2008 winner Bruny Island Cruises and Tasman Island Cruises;
• The winner of the Small Business Sustainability Award at the 2009 Tasmanian Environment Awards, Driftwood Strahan Villas.
• Winner of the 2008 Australian Gourmet Traveller Best Eco Tourism initiative, The Maria Island Walk 

In its second year, the 2009 Qantas Sustainable Tourism Seminar was themed Investing for the Long Haul and focused on the financial return of a sustainable investment.

Ms Singh said the past 12 months had been very challenging but Tasmanian tourism had held up well and was experiencing record growth.

“Our challenge is to now build on this solid base and continue fostering a sustainable and prosperous tourism industry in Tasmania.”

Ms Singh said Tourism Tasmania would be working with other State Tourism Organisations and the Federal Government on the development and implementation of a National Long Term Tourism Strategy (NLTTS).

“Our collective challenge is to work together to strike a balance between supply and demand factors, and ensure that Australian tourism remains competitive and sustainable in a tough global environment.

“From Tasmania’s point of view, we already know that a truly sustainable and prosperous tourism industry can only occur when everybody works together,” Ms Singh said.

“Tasmania’s current record tourism figures show that this approach is the right one and is working well for our State.”

At the seminar, keynote speaker Keith Bellows, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Traveler and committed environmental tourism advocate spoke on his knowledge and experience of international trends in sustainable tourism.

The Director of Sydney University’s Sustainable Research Centre, Julie Taylor Mills, also presented an overview of Australian developments in tourism sustainability.

The 2009 Qantas Sustainable Tourism Seminars are held throughout Australia and attract a wide cross section of the tourism industry, including local operators, regional tourism bodies and State Tourism Organisations.

Further information: Rod Scott: 6233 2170