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Tourism Industry Support For Parks and Wildlife Funding
Posted on Thursday, 17 December 2009 | Permalink
The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania has welcomed the increase in funding for the Parks and Wildlife Service and national parks.
TICT Chief Executive Daniel Hanna said today the State’s national parks and wilderness areas were an integral part of the Tasmanian brand and vital for tourism.
“Tasmania’s World Heritage Areas, national parks and reserves constitute some of our most important assets and are a vital part of the Tasmanian tourism experience,” Mr Hanna said.
“Tasmania has a reputation as Australia’s premier natural destination and needs to maintain existing facilities as well as develop new products to meet visitor demands, remain competitive and to attract return visitors.
“Unfortunately, the popularity of some of our iconic experiences has put our parks under pressure. While our national parks and reserves are still meeting and exceeding visitor expectations, unless there is sufficient management and maintenance Tasmania will reach a point where it fails to deliver on the promise to visitors. That is why this investment is badly needed and very welcome.
“In our Budget submissions to the State Government in previous years the TICT has argued for additional funding to protect our natural assets, provide new infrastructure like the Three Capes Track on the Tasman Peninsula, maintain essential facilities and infrastructure such as visitor centres, sewage, water supplies, walking tracks, and to rehabilitate areas already suffering degradation.
Mr Hanna said that the TICT had confidence in the Parks and Wildlife Service and welcomed the additional funding to help it maintain the parks and to protect the assets.
