“Outdoor experiences can be viewed as commodities to be packaged and sold according to consumer demand.” Commodity: product, goods valuable.

Commercialisation. Definition: The exploitation of a resource for profit generation. Definition: The exploitation of a resource for profit generation. Today, selling outdoor experiences is a booming industry. Whether it is a guided walk in the botanic gardens, a bus tour of the Great Ocean Road, a flight over Antarctica or a fully supported expedition to Mount Everest, somebody, somewhere, is sure to be providing the service. Today, selling outdoor experiences is a booming industry. Whether it is a guided walk in the botanic gardens, a bus tour of the Great Ocean Road, a flight over Antarctica or a fully supported expedition to Mount Everest, somebody, somewhere, is sure to be providing the service.

Commercialisation The changing social and economic conditions that have occurred predominately in the Western World over the past 150 years has led to an increase of those with time, financial resources and the desire to seek outdoor experiences for recreation purposes. The changing social and economic conditions that have occurred predominately in the Western World over the past 150 years has led to an increase of those with time, financial resources and the desire to seek outdoor experiences for recreation purposes. Organized tourism was first promoted in Victoria in 1888 when the State Tourism Committee was funded for the purpose of facilitating tourism. Organized tourism was first promoted in Victoria in 1888 when the State Tourism Committee was funded for the purpose of facilitating tourism. They successfully introduced visitors to places such as Lorne, the Grampians and the Alpine Region. They successfully introduced visitors to places such as Lorne, the Grampians and the Alpine Region.

Commercialisation The alpine areas of Victoria have continued to be developed over time, and in most cases have become important factors in the commercial viability of surrounding communities. The alpine areas of Victoria have continued to be developed over time, and in most cases have become important factors in the commercial viability of surrounding communities. Alpine Resorts today include the provision of accommodation, food, alcohol, ski equipment hire (downhill, cross country, snowboarding, tobogganing and clothing), transport, dog-sled rides, off-piste skiing, helicopter transport and sight seeing, lifts and ski lessons. Alpine Resorts today include the provision of accommodation, food, alcohol, ski equipment hire (downhill, cross country, snowboarding, tobogganing and clothing), transport, dog-sled rides, off-piste skiing, helicopter transport and sight seeing, lifts and ski lessons. Many local towns such as Mt Beauty, Mansfield and Bright rely and benefit from these resorts. Many local towns such as Mt Beauty, Mansfield and Bright rely and benefit from these resorts.

Commercialisation Through the commercialisation of outdoor experiences, more people have access to what has been, in some cases an exclusive world, where access can be dictated by knowledge, equipment, location, gender and cost. Through the commercialisation of outdoor experiences, more people have access to what has been, in some cases an exclusive world, where access can be dictated by knowledge, equipment, location, gender and cost. Now, these experiences are available to anybody who has the financial resources to purchase them. Now, these experiences are available to anybody who has the financial resources to purchase them.

Commercialisation Key Knowledge: THE POSITIVES As larger numbers of people experience the outdoors, there is the opportunity to educate them about the natural and cultural history of an area, and encourage an appreciation for the natural environment. As larger numbers of people experience the outdoors, there is the opportunity to educate them about the natural and cultural history of an area, and encourage an appreciation for the natural environment. Commercial operators can provide role models for appropriate behaviour in the outdoors. Commercial operators can provide role models for appropriate behaviour in the outdoors. Key Knowledge: THE NEGATIVES If companies do not take on the role as a role mode the effect could be that participants continue to see the environment as a resource for human consumption, and hence have negative impacts such as littering or erosion. If companies do not take on the role as a role mode the effect could be that participants continue to see the environment as a resource for human consumption, and hence have negative impacts such as littering or erosion. Eg. Companies that revisit the same campsites repeatedly with large group numbers can have devastating impacts. Eg. Companies that revisit the same campsites repeatedly with large group numbers can have devastating impacts.

Commercialisation of Alpine Areas Positives: Positives: Greater choices of locations to participate in skiing Greater choices of locations to participate in skiing More equipment providers, better equipment More equipment providers, better equipment Greater access to professional instructors Greater access to professional instructors Greater access to accommodation and food (on mountain) Greater access to accommodation and food (on mountain) Ease of access to ski areas Ease of access to ski areas Economic benefits for providers of the activity and associated goods and services. Economic benefits for providers of the activity and associated goods and services.

Commercialisation and Skiing… Negatives: Negatives: Loss of native vegetation and habitat to make way for ski runs Loss of native vegetation and habitat to make way for ski runs Loss of feeling of solitude due to an increase in numbers participating in skiing Loss of feeling of solitude due to an increase in numbers participating in skiing Increase in degradation to the natural environment e.g. erosion and pollution Increase in degradation to the natural environment e.g. erosion and pollution Loss of water to the natural environment due to being used for snow making. Loss of water to the natural environment due to being used for snow making.

Examples from Port Phillip Bay…. Think of examples of commercial activities that operate at Port Phillip Bay.. Think of examples of commercial activities that operate at Port Phillip Bay.. Do they have positive or negative impacts? Do they have positive or negative impacts?