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5 November 1998 |
Ref 98/260 |
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Cyclones and economic crises need pose no threat to holiday plans, according to CSIRO researcher Paul Walker.
A new tool to help regional tourism better plan and manage its operations, including dealing with "shocks" such as violent storms or Asian economic turmoil, was launched today (Thursday November 5) in Port Douglas by CSIRO.
The world first 'Tourism Futures Simulator' (TFS) is an advanced computer-based tool designed to assist Australia's regional tourism to find the competitive edge they need to set their region apart from other tourist destinations.
Project Leader Paul Walker says successful regional tourism relies on understanding why people travel to particular destinations, and the characteristics of such destinations that need to be maintained to ensure future tourism to the area.
"The Tourism Futures Simulator looks at how growth in tourism may affect the very characteristics that attracted tourists to the area in the first place," he says. "It provides a window into possible future scenarios for tourism in a given locality."
The initial TFS model has been developed in the Douglas Shire of tropical north Queensland, and CSIRO expects it will have applications in Australia and overseas.
The Mayor of Douglas Shire, Councillor Mike Berwick says the
council will benefit enormously from the data yet to be collected
for the TFS model.
"This includes information collected for the flora and fauna
research, as well as information on visitor patterns and related
economic impact modelling," he says.
Industry consultant to the project, Mr Steve Noakes says the TFS brings new thinking and leading edge science and technology to the way regional and rural tourism can be planned and managed around Australia.
"The TFS is a very significant initiative that can add enormous value to regional tourism throughout Australia," he adds. "Its international applications are also significant and I anticipate that TFS will be an important export earner for Australia."
The TFS gives regional tourism operators:
- A competitive edge by highlighting the distinctive features of the region for tourists
- A better tool to plan for "shocks" such as cyclones and other natural events, and the economic collapse of markets
- An inventory of public and private tourist activities and infrastructure within a region
- Specific information on tourists to the region - including numbers, characteristics and spending patterns
- A tool to test tourism proposals and their likely impact on a region
- Methods for investigating the likely economic, social and environmental outcomes of various development scenarios over the next 20 to 50 years
For interview:
Mr Paul Walker, CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology, phone: 0411 268 751
(mobile)
Mr Steve Noakes, Tourism industry consultant, phone: 07 4055
2719, 0418 664 295
For media assistance:
Mr David Salt, phone 02 6242 1645.
Ms Jenni Metcalfe, phone 07 3846 7111, 0408 551 866 (mobile)
(Australia's largest scientific research organisation)
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