Parks 21 Parks 21 operates on the premise that the tourism industry and the PWS will nurture our parks and reserves, they being a valuable asset in Tasmania’s tourism future. To achieve the above and to facilitate environmental, social and economic sustainable tourism activity, the TICT and the PWS have entered into an agreement for an action plan – TICT board chair Simon Currant and Minister Groom are the signatories to this strategic action plan.

Three Key Objectives of Parks 21 1 Enhanced Tourism Focus 2 Sustainable Experience Delivery 3 Enterprise and Economic Activity

Identified Priorities for 2015 Research WG - Recognised that a key research need is the economic value of reserves to Tasmania. Action - First meeting has occurred, with PWS, TICT, Tourism Tas and UTAS representatives. Meeting to occur in a few months time to identify research needs and share learnings from current research. Enhanced Tourism Focus

Identified Priorities for 2015 Marketing and Brand Action – PWS Brand Review is underway - PWS will use tigertour for distribution of 24 hour park passes to tourism businesses early next financial year. Enhanced Tourism Focus

Identified Priorities for 2015 Partnerships Action - PWS membership of RTOs and strategic input is now occurring. - PWS VIC/BE staff are attending the tourism conference in June, and attending relevant PD/workshops organised by the TICT. - TICT have ensured relevant workshops for operators are included within the conference program Enhanced Tourism Focus

Identified Priorities for 2015 Infrastructure WG – acknowledged that working together to identify priorities for funding would be paramount. Action - PWS currently updating software to an internationally known asset management information system. This will allow for better reporting on asset conditions and ease of prioritisation from a funding as well as from a works program perspective. - TICT to facilitate advice in late Spring, for the PWS to consider, on tourism infrastructure needs from the industry perspective. Sustainable Experience Delivery

Identified Priorities for 2015 Commercial Visitor Services Action – Review of CVS services for efficiencies. Filming clean skin meeting has already occurred with PWS, TT and Screen Tas. Events are the next type of commercial activity to be reviewed. Aim is to create time for operator licence processing. Sustainable Experience Delivery

Identified Priorities for 2015 Responsible Tourism WG – Need to acknowledge those commercial tourism operators who are Environmental Leaders. Action – Green Guardians to be reviewed and promoted as an option for responsible tourism. - Earth Check, EcoTourism Australia to be facilitated. - PWS will continue to sponsor the Sustainable Tourism Award Sustainable Experience Delivery

Identified Priorities for 2015 Quality Assurance Action – Customer Service Standard to be incorporated into new business contracts with the PWS. Accreditation with TICT/ATAP remains a licence condition with PWS. This will be better monitored in the future. PWS has accreditation for all of its tourism business centres (VICs). Sustainable Experience Delivery

Identified Priorities for 2015 Economic Value Action – TICT is actively promoting the value of parks and reserves to the tourism industry through media, through conference opportunities, and through other forums. - Research focus Enterprise and Economic Activity

Identified Priorities for 2015 Community Value Action – Triple bottom line, responsible tourism will be actively promoted by both the PWS and the TICT - Operators undertaking responsible tourism will be better acknowledged - A planned social media campaign with one accreditation organisation Enterprise and Economic Activity

Summary 1 Enhanced Tourism Focus 2 Sustainable Experience Delivery 3 Enterprise and Economic Activity Luke Martin, CEO, Tourism Industry Council Tasmania Jen Fry, A/Branch Manager Visitor Services, Tasmania PWS