2018-08-07 P&E Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 3 - Noosa Biosphere Reserve 10 Year Periodic Review

                                                                         Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




5.2      Tourism industry in the BR

Noosa is a top tourist destination on the Sunshine Coast and Queensland. The NBR attracted more
                                  37
than two million visitors in 2016. Tourism is the largest contributor to Noosa’s economy, bringing in a
                                                    38
record $940 million in the year to September 2016. The typical international visitor is drawn to Noosa
as a ‘fly and flop’ destination – with a year-round warm climate, attractive beaches and coastal
hinterland in which to relax. Research indicates that domestic tourists are mostly from Brisbane,
Melbourne and regional areas of Queensland.

The Noosa community benefits significantly from the tourism industry through employment and year-
round diverse cultural activities. But this level of popularity also brings with it some negative impacts, as
                                                                                                            39
many other tourist destinations around the world have discovered (for example Dubrovnik or Venice).
Some of the current threats to this idyllic holiday town (especially during peak holiday periods) are
crowded thoroughfares and lack of affordable accommodation for service industry workers and people
on lower incomes. Transport gridlock and carparking issues are also causing problems for local
                                   40
businesses and the community. Accommodation that is designated for residential purposes is being
used for short-term stays because of higher returns and ease of letting through on line booking
platforms.

Tourism Noosa is the organisation charged with marketing the NBR both domestically and
internationally. The NSC collects a Tourism and Economic Levy from commercial, industrial and
transitory accommodation property owners who offer accommodation to tourists. This revenue goes
towards Tourism Noosa activities as well as implementation of Noosa’s Local Economic Plan with its
focus on diversifying the Noosa economy.

Tourism and sustainability

One of the main strategic priorities in TN’s Tourism Strategy 2017-2022 is to increase the focus upon
               41
sustainability. Importantly, this means advocating for the NBR, further developing the Noosa
EcoCheck brand program and establishing benchmarks for sustainable tourism.

There is room to increase the number of certified Ecotourism and Nature-based Tourism activities on
offer in the NBR. The current TN strategy has identified future opportunities for the tourism industry in
the following areas:
•        Building the number of eco-accredited tourism operators
•        Facilitating product development that meets consumer demands for authenticity and nature-
         based experiences
•        Developing opportunities that flow from the designation of Noosa as a World Surfing Reserve,
         and
•        Promoting hinterland experiences to help disperse visitors throughout the region.

The Noosa EcoCheck is a brand that helps eco-friendly businesses based in Noosa to showcase their
commitment to the environment. Businesses that have adopted energy-saving appliances, water
efficiency measures, waste minimisation, shared transport options and more effective communications
strategies can access a specialised professional development program for their staff. After completion
of the course, staff and the business can benefit from the ‘eco-brand’ identity. To date, more than 500
businesses have enrolled in the Noosa EcoCheck program.

A recent study of sustainable tourism in Noosa found that only 5.8% of Noosa businesses had some
form of recognised eco-certification. Most of those surveyed (21 businesses) had EcoBiz Queensland
                                                                                                      42
certification, and five businesses (10 products) held the national Eco-tourism Australia credentials.
The study found that many Noosa tourism operators wished to improve their knowledge about
sustainability, and to understand more about the nomination processes and benefits of eco-tourism
37
      2016 Noosa Local Government Area Profile, Tourism Research Australia
38
      TN, Tourism Strategy Noosa 2017-2022, p.4
39
      http://www.traveller.com.au/overcrowded-tourist-cities-dont-send-anymore-tourists-to-dubrovnik--city-considers-
      limiting-number-of-visitors-gy2k9w
40
      2017, local news clippings
41
      2017, Tourism Strategy Noosa 2017-2022, p.3
42
      2016, Cathie Withyman, A case study of sustainable tourism certification within a Biosphere Reserve (ppt)



                                                                                                               Page 48