Jim Macbeth

Small island destinations present some unique challenges when it comes to visitor management. Often characterised by fragile ecosystems, they can be subject to intense pressures from large numbers of visitors carrying out a range of high impact activities in confined areas. This paper will examine the application of the sustainable visitor capacity (SVC) framework - a new visitor management tool designed in Australia - to Rottnest Island in Western Australia, a popular island destination attracting approximately 500,000 visitors per annum. Several modifications of the framework were undertaken in order to streamline it, adapt it to island conditions, and orient it to the particular objectives of the project. The methodology proved valuable in providing an estimate of sustainable visitor capacity that took into account environmental impacts, visitor satisfaction, service capacity and management strategies. The importance of versatility in assessment methods, visitor input and a streamlined approach are highlighted as key success factors.

Based on research at two locations in Australia this paper explores the ways in which both wildlife and tourists are managed, with particular focus on the management of their interactions, and presents a case for a non-anthropocentric environmental ethic. On Fraser Island in Queensland, Dingoes have gained widespread notoriety in recent years for their ability to harm people and consequently interactions are discouraged via a range of means. On Penguin Island in Western Australia, captive Penguins are used to educate visitors and controlled interactions are encouraged. With environmental sustainability a goal at both locations, managers make choices that are influenced by particular ethical stances.

What we value is intricately linked to our morality and our ethics, whether personal or corporate. Sustainability is essentially a statement of morality, embeddlng as it does the notion of inter- and intra-generational equity, This includes, among other things, social justice, The values underlying tourism development are dominated by the corporate expedient of profit and by the State concern for wealth generation, irrespective of the impacts on workers.

Partnerships between tourism enterprises and protected area managers are widely promoted as means to generate mutually beneficial outcomes. This paper reports on a study that examined the effectiveness of twenty-one tourism partnerships associated with protected areas across Australia. Quantitative and qualitative surveys of partnership participants were used to identify the most important features of the partnerships and analyse the relationships between these features and outcomes for participants, as well as for sustainability more generally. Important outcomes for the partners included economic gains for protected areas and tourism businesses; improved availability of information; improved relationships; adoption of innovative approaches to problems-solving; and reduced conflict between partners. Important sustainability outcomes included improved understanding of the values of protected areas; improved biodiversity conservation; greater respect for culture, heritage and traditions; increased engagement of local communities in tourism; and increased local social and economic benefits. Partnership-related features that influenced these outcomes included open communication; inclusive participation; partners' commitment; adaptability to changing circumstances; leadership by at least one of the partners; agreement on the purpose and direction of the partnership; identification and allocation of partners' roles and powers; agreements and regulations supporting the partnership and tourism in protected areas; sufficient resources; and an understanding other partners' viewpoints. These results are used to characterise and identify the requirements for successful protected area tourism partnerships.

Nature based tourism is booming, the sector is of great importance and thus the management of protected areas is facing a dilemma: protection versus visitor use. Given the different public policies contexts of tourism in protected areas there is often misunderstandings and sometimes animosity between protected area managers and tour operators, which does not serve the interests of either. Given the engagement of both in protected areas and necessarily with each other, it is critical that their relationship and its complexities are clearly understood. Recognising that this relationship is more than simple communication, this study set out to explore the relationship and associated influences such as organisational sub-cultures, values and ethics and power. The analysis focused on the individual, organisational and political perspectives. The research allows us to move beyond the rhetoric of communication commonly associated with the relationship between managers and operators to a more complex and holistic view of the individuals, the values and their organisational/political locations.

Natural coastal areas in the Broome region of north-western Australia represent a significant recreational resource. The area of interest in this study, 90km of coastal land, mainly unallocated crown land under native title claim and including an area recently granted native title to the Yawuru people of Broome, has seen an increase in unregulated off-road vehicle use and recreational impact pressure since the mid 80’s. Camping, fishing and beach use by off-road vehicle users, both locals and visitors, has lead to degradation and changes to these coastal resources which remain largely unmanaged. Increased use of the area has lead to seasonal overcrowding at camping areas which can stimulate a source of resentment from local residents. There have been few baseline studies of wet-dry tropical Australia, partly due to the remoteness and restrictions of climatic conditions imposed by an oppressive wet season or cyclone risk period. The majority of recreational tourist activity in the study area takes place in the dry season. The main focus of this project undertaken in the dry season has been a multidimensional study of the impacts and attitudes of off-road vehicle users in the study area. A total of 388 user surveys were collected, the results of which summarise user perceptions of environmental impacts, acceptable levels of impacts and user responses to potential management actions. A comparison within the survey between number visualization and photographic series visualization methods is also presented in the analysis of user perception of acceptable impact levels in the study area. In addition, five management interviews with responsible government authorities and Traditional Custodians have also been carried out to add another layer to the analysis of the data that have been collected. The results presented in this paper are social findings from the user survey representing part of a much wider multidimensional study. Data includes an assessment of roads, beach access points and erosion, changes to vegetation and an assessment of campsite impacts. A GIS system will be used to combine and present the information in a way that is beneficial to local land managers and contribute to the development of policies for the sustainable management of coastal areas north of Broome.

Nature based tourism is booming, the sector is of great importance and thus the management of protected areas is facing a dilemma: protection versus visitor use. The different objectives of public policies with respect to tourism and therefore protected area managers and tour operators result in misunderstandings and sometimes animosity, which does not serve the interests of either. Given the engagement of both in protected areas and necessarily with each other, it is critical that their relationship and its complexities are clearly understood. As such, this study explores the relationship and associated influences between protected area managers and tour operators. . The analysis was theoretically informed by social representation theory and recent approaches to cultural mapping. The insights provided by this study will assist in moving the current rhetoric associated with managers and tour operators beyond partnerships and collaboration.

The viability of regional and rural communities depends on embracing new and innovative solutions to development strategies to build social, cultural, political and economic capital. Tourism is often touted as an industry that can serve this purpose. In this paper we outline some of the issues facing researchers and policy makers in this context along with some of the lessons learned about the tourism system in regional areas. Innovation in tourism development relies on and can contribute to social, political and cultural capital (SPCC) while improving the economic base of the area.

In July, 2003, the Western Australian Premier rejected on environmental grounds a proposed resort and marina complex at Mauds Landing, 3kms north of the popular tourist destination. The site for this proposed development was in the middle of a stretch of coastline reaching from Carnarvon in the south to Exmouth in the north [referred to here as the ‘Coral Coast region’] which is fringed by the renowned Ningaloo Reef. The purpose of the current project, funded by the CRC for Sustainable Tourism, has been to investigate the political processes which resulted in the emergence of vocal and widespread public opposition to the proposal to develop a resort/marina complex for Mauds Landing, and culminated in the Western Australian government’s decision to reject the proposed development. Given that this type of opposition appears to be strengthening and involves the relatively new concept of tourists against tourism development, an important component of this research was a series of interviews with visitors to the Coral Coast region in July 2003, a time coinciding with the rejection of the resort proposal.

In July, 2003, the Western Australian Premier rejected on environmental grounds a proposed resort and marina complex at Mauds Landing, 3kms north of the popular tourist destination. The site for this proposed development was in the middle of a stretch of coastline reaching from Carnarvon in the south to Exmouth in the north [referred to here as the ‘Coral Coast region’] which is fringed by the renowned Ningaloo Reef. The purpose of the current project, funded by the CRC for Sustainable Tourism, has been to investigate the political processes which resulted in the emergence of vocal and widespread public opposition to the proposal to develop a resort/marina complex for Mauds Landing, and culminated in the Western Australian government’s decision to reject the proposed development. Given that this type of opposition appears to be strengthening and involves the relatively new concept of tourists against tourism development, an important component of this research was a series of interviews with visitors to the Coral Coast region in July 2003, a time coinciding with the rejection of the resort proposal.