Tourism Forum welcomes private investment in parks

Allowing private tourism investment in national parks in NSW will enhance the overall visitor experience, according to peak national body, Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).
TTF National Manager, Tourism Investment, Evan Hall represented the tourism industry on the NSW Governmentâs Tourism and National Parks Taskforce, and said this heralds a new future for our national parks.
Hall explained, "New South Wales has some spectacular natural assets, and new tourism experiences will entice more people back to National Parks.
âIncreasing visitor numbers will lift revenues, which can be used to both promote and protect our national parks.
âThe development of sustainable nature tourism experiences and products will also add value for visitors, in effect subsidising the cost of maintaining our national parks.�?
Hall said the New South Wales government is to be congratulated for adopting the recommendations from the Tourism and National Parks Taskforce report.
âMany viable, sustainable nature-based tourism projects have gone by the wayside over the years because of excessive red-tape,�? Mr Hall said, âand the recommendations should simplify the approvals process to allow appropriate development to go ahead.�?
âDeputy Premier and Environment Minister Carmel Tebbutt and Tourism Minister Jodi McKay have played a key role in having these recommendations accepted and we hope this will usher in a new era of cooperation between National Parks and the private sector.
âTTF has been closely involved in preparing Tourism and National Parks Taskforce report, and strongly believes these changes will allow New South Wales to compete on a more even footing with other destinations, like New Zealand.
âAlso, the public can be assured this does not give the green light for large development in national parks, with all applications still subject to strict conditions.
âIt will also see low-cost options retained for visitors, while covering the cost of vital visitor infrastructure and maintenance.�?