DESTINATION STEWARDSHIP - THE KEY TO FUTURE SUCCESS
The Destination Management Plan aims to prioritise and guide
the way we look after our place. Maintaining and enhancing the core values of Noosa for the next generation is at its heart.
the way we look after our place. Maintaining and enhancing the core values of Noosa for the next generation is at its heart.
I am therefore advocating that the plan should adopt a destination stewardship approach. This process is underpinned by the local community working with government , non-governmental organisations and the tourism industry to maintain the cultural, environmental, economic and aesthetic integrity of their locality (Global Sustainable Tourism Council).
Residents should soon have the opportunity to get engaged in the development of the plan. I am keen to see a rapid response to the three areas most impacted by the current level of overtourism - Noosa Heads - Main Beach precinct, Noosa Estuary and the Noosa North Shore.
If we get it right our management interventions will be designed
to minimise the negative impacts and maximise the benefits of responsible tourism.
to minimise the negative impacts and maximise the benefits of responsible tourism.
What will the Shire look like in 10 years if the plan is a success?
- the distinctive character of each locale will be retained
reflecting their natural and cultural heritage,
reflecting their natural and cultural heritage,
- there will be growth in tourism market segments that
appreciate and respect our distinctive assets and a reduction
of those segments that don’t.
appreciate and respect our distinctive assets and a reduction
of those segments that don’t.
- tourism is based on local small businesses and civic groups
that have built partnerships to promote and provide a
distinctive, honest visitor experience to maximize tourism
benefits that build on the shire’s nature, history and culture,
including food and drink, artisanry, performance and the
visual arts, etc.
that have built partnerships to promote and provide a
distinctive, honest visitor experience to maximize tourism
benefits that build on the shire’s nature, history and culture,
including food and drink, artisanry, performance and the
visual arts, etc.
- local habitats, heritage sites, aesthetic appeal, and culture are
sustained through keeping volumes of tourists to within
agreed maximum acceptable limits.
sustained through keeping volumes of tourists to within
agreed maximum acceptable limits.
- both residents and visitors are engaged in a continuous
process of learning about our place and how to care for it, so
that they enjoy a richer experience and commit to sustainable
practices.
process of learning about our place and how to care for it, so
that they enjoy a richer experience and commit to sustainable
practices.
The aim will be to introduce new measures that ensures your experience of Noosa's natural assets is a memorable one -
regardless of whether you have to walk 100 metres or travel
10,000 kilometres to get to your favourite destination.
regardless of whether you have to walk 100 metres or travel
10,000 kilometres to get to your favourite destination.
REGENERATIVE VISITORS TREAD LIGHTLY
Tourism Noosa recently launched their 'Tread Lightly' program that will provide visitors with the opportunity to lighten their environmental footprint while on holiday in Noosa.
Head of Tourism Sustainability & Program Design (and Vice President of Noosa Integrated Catchment Association), Juanita Terry-Bloomfield highlighted that:
Head of Tourism Sustainability & Program Design (and Vice President of Noosa Integrated Catchment Association), Juanita Terry-Bloomfield highlighted that:
"With increasing awareness of the climate crisis, people are traveling more thoughtfully, more creatively and more intentionally. For travellers today, sustainable travel means more than just recycling. With a growing respect for the world’s local communities, the environment and biodiversity, a regenerative philosophy is starting to influence decision-making.
More people are seeking authentic cultural experiences that bolster and add value back into local communities, while actively avoiding over polluted and overcrowded destinations."
Research reveals this growing desire to travel sustainably has grown from 34% of global travellers In 2016 to 71% who reported they intended to in 2022.
Tapping Into this regenerative philosophy will be an important part of the Destination Management Plan and it is good to see TN focussing their promotion on treading lightly. The program offers a range of environmentally based experiences that aim to encourage visitors to holiday in a more mindful and responsible way.
Tapping Into this regenerative philosophy will be an important part of the Destination Management Plan and it is good to see TN focussing their promotion on treading lightly. The program offers a range of environmentally based experiences that aim to encourage visitors to holiday in a more mindful and responsible way.
Visitors will gain hands-on education, insight and action into local environmental projects and programs Including:
• Plastic Free Noosa – Beach Clean-Ups and helping to
remove microplastics and other pollution from the coastline,
creeks, estuaries, and rivers across Noosa and become part
of the solution to plastic pollution.
• Trees for Tourism – Visitors can plant a tree and personally
help rejuvenate vulnerable bushland areas of the Noosa
Biosphere.
• Enter the Flyosphere – a guided tour of Shorebirds
Experience In the Noosa River estuary
• Noosa Oyster Gardening –visitors can tour oyster reefs and
gain insight into the Noosa Oyster Gardening Program.
• Roving Restorers –visitors can join Roving Restorers for half a
day of weeding and bush care restoration to protect and
improve the region's biodiversity and ecosystem health.
remove microplastics and other pollution from the coastline,
creeks, estuaries, and rivers across Noosa and become part
of the solution to plastic pollution.
• Trees for Tourism – Visitors can plant a tree and personally
help rejuvenate vulnerable bushland areas of the Noosa
Biosphere.
• Enter the Flyosphere – a guided tour of Shorebirds
Experience In the Noosa River estuary
• Noosa Oyster Gardening –visitors can tour oyster reefs and
gain insight into the Noosa Oyster Gardening Program.
• Roving Restorers –visitors can join Roving Restorers for half a
day of weeding and bush care restoration to protect and
improve the region's biodiversity and ecosystem health.
A concept of the sorts of actions in a destination stewardship approach and their link to existing strategies, threats and outcomes.