Document
Index
1999-2000 Ministerial Statements
Investing in our Natural and
Cultural Heritage
Chapter 4
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Document
Index |
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Nature-based tourism presents Australia with the opportunity to make the most of the
competitive advantage bestowed by its unique natural features, cultural heritage, and
flora and fauna. Australia's Commonwealth Government, through the Department of Industry,
Science and Resources (ISR), has developed a National Action Plan for Tourism that
identifies conservation and careful management of the environment as essential to the long
term viability of the tourism industry. The National Action Plan, launched in 1998, was
developed following extensive consultation with stakeholders from the tourism industry,
State Governments and non-government organisations.
The National Action Plan makes a commitment to ecologically sustainable tourism
development, recognising that environmental, community and cultural issues should be an
integral part of economic decisions.
The CRC for Sustainable Tourism is focused on delivering strategic, economic and ecological knowledge to assist in the development of a sustainable tourism industry. In the environmental area the CRC will develop improved ecosystem, environmental and heritage management tools and planning systems to enhance economic, social, cultural and business solutions and reduce deleterious impacts on natural resources and the environment.
The objectives of the Australian Tourist Commission's Environment Strategy include the monitoring, reporting on and reducing the impact of, international tourism on Australia's natural environment. Activities promoted by the strategy include market research and communicating environmental messages through tourism information materials. The Commonwealth will provide $30,000 to the Strategy in 1999-2000.