Fraser Island tourism experiment

FRASER Island tour operators will be guinea pigs in the rollout of a new plan aimed at changing how tours are run in national parks.

Picture: Peter Chapman

FRASER Island tour operators will be guinea pigs in the rollout of a new plan aimed at changing how tours are run in national parks.

Security of tenure is offered, administrative streamlining is on a pedestal and environmental concerns highlighted, but tour operators the Chronicle spoke to yesterday are worried that the costs of “new best practice” might hit their bottom line.

Fraser Island is one of only three destinations to be included in the first phase of the plan.

The others are Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park and the Whitsunday Islands.

The Tourism in Protected Areas strategy wants to deliver a new balance between commerce and conservation.

For example, as of early 2012 all tour operators conducting guided tours on Fraser Island will have to have eco accreditation from a body endorsed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Agreements will require operators to apply for QPWS-endorsed eco-accredited tourism products within 12 months of entering into that agreement.

Certification will have to be finalised within 18 months of entering the agreement.

Operators must maintain accreditation for the term of the agreement.

Another key feature of the plan is for existing operators to move from three-year permits to 15-year agreements, with allocations that allow for existing use plus a margin for growth.

“Fifteen-year agreements will provide tourism operators with the security to make long-term investment decisions,” Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said.

“There is an argument to be made that all Queenslanders should be able to see their assets but by the same token Fraser Island is so precious we have to make sure that everybody who goes there adheres to the rules,” he said.

QTIC is the state’s peak tourism body with 3000 members.

QPWS, Tourism Queensland and the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation authored the TIPA.

Tour operators that already hold a commercial activity permit can choose to apply for a new agreement when the site moves to TIPA arrangements, or wait until their existing permit expires.

If operators choose not to take up an agreement, they may continue operations only until their current permit expires.

Operators can apply to renew their agreement at the 10-year mark, effective on expiry.

Key ingredients

One agreement allows a business to operate across multiple national park sites.

Agreement can be transferred if a business is sold (an option that was not available for permits).

 Quarterly rather than monthly returns on visitor numbers, making admin simpler.

Originally published as Fraser Island tourism experiment