Background Context
The significance of protected lands in tourism sector and their contribution in world economy along with regional development has been very well documented ( Bushell & Bricker, 2017). Working for National Parks Association (NPA) of NSW-National Parks and Wildlife Service Australia, it becomes significant to underpin the decisions related to past that can turn positively in future. NPA have established many National reserves and national parks for NSW. Presently there are 877 protected lands covering approximately 7 million hectares of land that constitutes 9% of the state. Along with land, 66,000 ha of marine water constituting 6.5 % of the coast are been protected by the agency. NPA engages community as well as citizen science programs, conservation campaigns and bulk walking programs in Australia along with protecting natural lands from environmental and tourism hazards (National Parks Association of NSW Inc, 2018). In brief, NPA is a non-government association of NSW that pursues to protect, restore and connect integrity and diversity of natural structure beyond and in NSW through maintaining marine sanctuaries, national parks and other means. National Parks and other reserves play a significant role that provides ecosystem service, recreational opportunities and nature preservation (Eastwood, 2015). management, internal and external influences like climatic change, threat to animals, weeds, inefficient management practice and natural calamities affects protected lands adversely. (National Parks Association of NSW Inc, 2017) Therefore, preparing for the future becomes necessary for the managers of the organisation especially when challenges and issues related to national park development can be seen which could arise apparently in local as well as national level. Since the committee of NPA have not shown a noted progress addressing the issues related to development process in national parks, this paper will focus on making a proposal plan to address the aforesaid issue. This will also form the basis behind making further research on the topic. Present literature and reasons behind the issues will help in formulating effective plan that can assist NPA in managing commercial tourism operators access in national parks along with developing it for future sustainability.
Figure: Top ten National parks in Australia according to number of visitors (NSW, 2018)
According to Randal and Rollins (2009), National parks and protected lands are formed due to societal approval where personal welfares are obtained from visitation according to societal acceptance and approval of park management authorities. Internal and external market plays a significant role in growth of Australian Tourism industry (National Parks Association of NSW Inc, 2017). Looking upon the areas of strength in commercial tourism agencies access to national parks as compared to other destinations, more opportunities to build sustainable development along with preservation of protected land can be realised. However, weaknesses are also significant to be looked at before making any new policy so that future threats can be minimised and commercial tourism addresses in near future ensuring they remain ahead of the game. The biggest strength in Australian tourism sector is that the country has those destinations which are unique and popular for experiential travel that attracts many travellers from around the globe. Due to the appealing nature of natural sites, it had resulted many travellers spend considerable amount of income spend in Australian tourism along with incoming of international travellers that adds to country’s economy ( Aynalem, et al., 2016).
National parks and other protected lands make Australia one of the most frequently chosen travel destination for tourists. This constitutes again in adding strength to the sector. Since AUD proves weaker as compared to many other currencies, it results more people selecting Australia for travelling and recreational purpose especially in developing countries ( CRC for Sustainable Tourism Pty Ltd, 2009). While international travellers visit the country, they end up spending considerable amount. Since, this tradition seems to follow for upcoming years also, there is a great scope that requires to be focussed upon. Another strength that can be seen is advent of technological aspects that can be used to manage tourism operations digitally and with accuracy. In fact, locals and other communities also adds to the strengths where they can be approached to get involved in tourism activities for promoting tourism in their regions for the development of their standards.
Weaknesses that can be seen is that European countries, which comprise largest spenders in tourism are in deep recession from past few years that has drastic affects on volume spends on tourism and travelling which is likely to effect Australian tourism industry also. If proper funding as well as managing is not provided, development and meeting other requirements may become difficult for the NPA in protecting natural lands. However, Australia being near to Asian countries can drive more tourists from there by creating awareness as Asian countries are one of the emerging markets that spends on tourism and travelling (Walker, 2018). Regulations by government in tourism can also add to opportunity that can soften terms and policies while attracting more people visiting the country. Also, corporate businesses in travel and tourism is not developing in expected ratio to meet economic as well as environmental concerns (Bunghez, 2016). Since this report is been prepared for NPA, focusing on South Australian regions national park and protected lands becomes significant as those regions are most sought after vacation destinations whose revenues adds to country economy as well as environmental support for the nation. Tourism industry in Australia have received many unpredictable shocks from political instability and terrorist attacks along with natural disasters and health pandemics (World Travel and Tourism Council, 2017). Despite of various ever-increasing issues and disasters, travel and tourism continue to grow in Australian regions contributing 3.1% in GDP and employing more than 6 million people through tourism jobs.
Figure: Reasons behind visitors visiting Australia (Lin, 2013)
In 2016, the tourism sector of Australia generated US$7.6 trillion that comes to 10.2% of global GDP. According to experts, this growth rate has further scope of expansion as tourism sector in past few years remains robust and shall continue to be foremost in terms of providing wealth and employment contributing global economy (Asadzadeh1 & Mousavi, 2017). As nations are looking forward to diminish barriers to movement of people and trade between countries, the role of management of travel and tourism companies becomes more significant (Budget Direct, 2018).
Figure: number of tourists visiting Australia per year (Budget Direct, 2018)
The tourism agencies act as an engine for economic development and a vehicle for creating peace, sharing culture, and building communal understanding. As shown in the figure above, 8.8 million of international travellers arrived Australia alone in the year 2017 in which around $41.3 billion were spend by them. Approximately, 1004 people arrive the country every hour and is expected to raise in near future (World Travel and Tourism Council, 2017).
Environmentally, many ecotourism regions in Australia consider not appealing to be tourist destination as it becomes impossible to manage and observe large mammals and due to highly dense forests and wildlife safaris (World Travel and Tourism Council, 2017). As a result, tourism agencies face underusage of lands subjected to vandalism and abandon by travellers. Overlapping administrative problems and issues like inconsistent policies along with lack of coordination among public and private agencies arises further issues. Political factors like inefficient governmental support requires encouragement from government side to those agencies who offers cooperation in development of protected lands. For example, Royal National Park in the outskirts of Sydney faces regression due to misguided ideals of outdated principles although they are entitled to focus more upon natural landscapes and livestock over there while making the region one of the recreational escapes for country people (The Conversation Media Group Ltd., 2013).
Attracting qualified staff from urban areas also becomes difficult due to remote locations of protected lands. Adding further to it, employment may fluctuate seasonally that causes difficulties in retaining qualified staff along with building skills of other employees present ( Randal & Rollins, 2009). One of the protected lands in Malaysia is Taman Negara where higher number of staffs, except in lower ranking, were appointed from outside the regions like from Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan. This added in outflow of employment opportunity and cash out of the country ( Xin & Chan, 2014). Another geographical issue identified is lack of service development in tourism spots that makes investors loose interest in making large investments (Mat Som, et al., 2006). Climatic issues like seasonal variations, excessive rainfall or heat and influence of seasonal demand disparity also causes disruptions in tourism operations for both public as well as private organisations in Australia.
Management in NPA carries one of the most diversified features that helps them in managing protected lands like national parks and marine water along with focussing upon other issues and threats related to environment. Therefore, working for it requires ensuring protection of national parks substantially. However, area of protected regions can be seen declining due to the changing trend in tourism industry where number of visitors are increasing in alarming rate that impacts natural environment adversely (World Travel and Tourism Council, 2017). Since, the literature argues that there are many reasons behind forming gaps in capability of protecting natural lands and national parks, this plan will be useful in considering challenges and opportunities behind developing protected lands. The plan includes competition over Australian national parks to increase choice for visitors along with business travellers from around the globe. With the help of private organisations and infrastructure development businesses, inclusion of bio hotels and use of renewable sources for tourism operations will also be focussed upon so that natural environment remains unexploited. Focussing city’s actions along with directing growth and maintenance of tourism related operations will ensure Australia tourism sector remains desirable destination for business markets and global tourists (Bunghez, 2016). Economic contribution of tourism industry is significant as they contribute to country’s overall economy. Therefore, workers and tour guides will be appointed more on local basis than foreign regions. Along with it, cultural promotion as well as protection of rural communities will run parallel to each other. To take such initiatives, this plan will focus on enhancing the quality of experience of tourists by strengthening partnerships with other agencies and government to maximise number of visitors. This will also encourage developments of infrastructure and tourism products while marketing Australian tourism to wider range of potential visitors.
For managing national parks, the management of NPA should remain cautioned against attracting unwanted group of visitors who indulge themselves in inappropriate activities. It becomes necessary to increase the tendency for developing suitable facilities to attract visitors for maximising profits rather than allowing them to exploit natural environment through inappropriate means. According to Eagles (2009), with increase in number of visitors, focussing upon domestic market more than international market becomes favourable form economic perspective. A tourism project that meets all the necessary requirements of national as well as international market requires substantial amount of investment. However, Buckley (2009) argues that investment made merely for attracting more visitors can prove risky and vulnerable for environmental safeguarding in this strong competitive tourism market. As foreign tourists provide with required currency, domestic visitors can prevent outflow of cash in foreign countries. In relation to all the above-mentioned trends influencing the issue, the tourism agencies and protectors represent major segment in park’s budget.
Successfully managed protected lands depends on four factors: partnership with government, quality of resources, professionalism in every level of park management business, and appreciative as well as active public. Since the literature has identified significant gaps in management areas of tourism industry, the policy for developing and engaging local communities in park management agencies can help in bridging gaps between development and issues recognised. According to Eagles (2019), the local communities’ residing near ecotourism sites, who also constitutes to be major stakeholders of regional tourism have lower income as compared to national average that shows they have limited scope for economic activities. This research is further supported by Buckley (2009) where the author says that local communizes are often neglected financially due to poorly managed authorities. It can also be said that relationship between development and environment becomes complicated due to rural poverty and malingering of environmental awareness that results in resources exploitation. As urban demands for horticultural and medicinal plants seems high, local communities do not hesitate in collecting them from national resources to gain profits out of it immediately (Farid, et al., 2016). If this issue is to be addressed, ecotourism needs to make a viable economic alternative that allows local communities participate in tourism operations like food, homestay offerings, transport business and act as a concessionary for support agencies. For example, local communities’ people can become tourist guides after receiving necessary training and gaining good knowledge about local areas. For community involvement, example can be placed like Royal National Park where local residents and villagers situated nearby receive financial support from park operations by getting involved in staffing and guiding (NSW, 2018). However, in many sites, local community act as passive component in tourism product and are therefore excluded from development process in tourism. Nevertheless, if local communities start meeting tourism demands, they are more likely to retain control over tourism ( Bushell & Bricker, 2017).
There are many challenges and issues observed in literature related to tourism industry in protected lands in Australia. The increased competition as well as environmental concerns have made this research focus on building a plan that could address the above-mentioned issues in the report. The focus on national parks development will be directed and maintained for growth in tourism related sector to ensure Australia remains highly desirable tourist destination in global marketplace. To bring plan into action, many initiatives requires to be undertaken like enhancing the quality of visitor’s experience and strengthening partnerships between private and public agencies to encourage development of fair tourism in sensitive areas (Sydney2030, 2013). For the application of these, three approaches will be utilised to address identified issues.
- Evidence-based- According to this approach, further research will be made after consulting findings from latest tourism reports available online and through government authorities. This program will capture the tourism views from stakeholders as well as government perspectives while reflecting local communities’ viewpoints. Along with it, local people residing beside national parks will be consulted before making them engaged in future development programs(Eagles, 2009).
- Dynamic plan -This plan intends to be dynamic according to the changing needs and priorities identified in former plan. Progress in identified projects will be closely watched so that effective outcomes are comprehended. Accordingly, this plan will be more based on statistical instruments available through digital and technical means so that undertaken review coincides with action plan within five years from its commencement( Randal & Rollins, 2009).
- A partnership approach- NPA alone cannot seek to create interconnected and strong partnerships with government and others. Therefore, this pan will focus on building relationships within tourism industry organisations since combined efforts can ensure achieving targets and success in speedy and positive manner. For example, NSW recently issued Visitor Economy Taskforce Report that consists of wide range of tourist’s actions that has potentiality in increasing state expenditure overnight. With alignment with governmental policies and support like this, partner companies like NPA can also reap benefits for achieving goals related to accumulation of necessary cash(Pfueller, et al., 2011).
As mentioned above in this report, this plan will focus on developing national parks in protected lands through development in strategies and policies. While formulating the policy, three major areas will be focussed upon that can also prove advantageous for NPA in several ways. Firstly, strengthening Australian tourism in protected lands will be ensured along with encouraging business investors to invest more in Australian tourism industry. By attracting more international as well as national visitors, tourism agencies can provide residents and local workers with employment opportunities and economic stability (Asadzadeh1 & Mousavi, 2017). Second major advantage gained is improvement on capacity and productivity through investment in social and transformative infrastructure. To unlock the tourist spots from congestion and keep people moving, enabling complete participation of workplace labours along with technological monitoring will enhance tourist operations to cope with future requirements. Third advantage realised will be promotion of opportunities by building strong internal and external links along with effective cross sector networks. These networks will in exchange provide strong participation and collaboration within communities along with strengthening entrepreneurial and business activities within Australian tourism industry (Bunghez, 2016). However, few drawbacks can also be realised through implementation of the above-mentioned plans like rejection of proposal made to other tourism agencies that can provide adverse effects to company’s reputation. Local communities who remains robust and disagree to participate in development programs adds to further issues where implementing the above plan can create disruptions within few regions ( Aynalem, et al., 2016).
The proposed plan will focus on tourism actions to ensure growth and maintenance of tourism related sector especially in protected lands and national parks managed by NPA. To formulate appropriate plan, government and local communities will be consulted and major areas that will be focussed upon are destination development, enhanced tourism quality, development of infrastructure, destination management and building partnerships with government and other agencies for parks development purpose (Eagles, 2009). The proposed plan has identified various themes that can address each of the action plans. The themes will include enhanced training for NPA management and controllers, sustainability initiatives, employment development in national parks regions, enterprise development through accumulation of funding, and enabling innovative organisational systems so that tourism operators’ access to national parks are managed in effective manner (Buckley, 2009). The next set of plans will focus upon environmental needs i.e. preservation of natural lands and safeguarding environment through appropriate tourism activities and reduction in mass tourism that provides adverse effects. Along with it, reviewing of accumulated data will be done under which technological innovations will be utilised. Through proper planning and focussing, safeguarding national parks and livestock present in Australian national parks can be ensured by NPA management that can be determined through tourist and local communities’ experiences recorded after implementation of proposed plan (P, 2013).
Conclusion
Tourism sector size and potentiality as compared to other industry seems fairly supportive for internationalisation of activities that requires considerable amount investment and development to ensure commercial tourism operators’ access to national parks and protected lands are managed effectively. Therefore, a fair plan is needed to make Australian tourism experience more sustainable in upcoming years along with providing the management of NPA with enhanced business and protection of natural environment jargon. This report has presented an initiative set of proposed plans that will be based on visitor’s experience and governmental controls to ensure maximisation of tourism within Australian regions without hampering natural environment. On this note, this report concludes by proposing an effective plan that can manage commercial tourism in Australian national parks effectively without exploiting environment and natural resources.
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