Biography
Janet Mackay, Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), Graduate Diploma - Recreation Planning, Masters Applied Science (Park Management), Diploma of Education Director of Planning for People - recreation and tourism planning consultant Janet specialises in planning for recreation and tourism in natural areas and has worked extensively across Australia at a range of levels including site planning, park planning, destination planning and activity planning. She is well known for her work on long distance walking tracks including many of Australia’s icon trails – Overland, Jatbula, Larapinta, Heysen. She has also worked in many of Australia’s icon nature based destinations including planning for Kakadu, the Red Centre, Wilsons Promontory, Seal Bay, the Tarkine, Christmas Island, Ningaloo, the Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island, the Australian Alps and Australia’s Coastal wilderness. She has also worked on tourism business opportunities with Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and New South Wales. She is currently working on a sustainable tourism strategy for NSW national parks and a visitor management strategy for South Australian national parks. She is an experienced speaker and facilitator.

Tourism in Parks – The Way Forward
The paper will explore the benefits of tourism in national parks , examples of how it is done well and some of the approaches that underpin successful park opportunities. The paper will discuss and use examples to illustrate the role of parks in
Providing relevant experiences for contemporary society
Creating advocates for environmental sustainability
Delivering economic and social benefits for communities
Providing business development opportunities including indigenous business It will then look at some of the concepts that are necessary to deliver vibrant and relevant opportunities in parks including
Integrated planning with other stakeholders
Effective business arrangements
Private /public partnerships
Contemporary marketing
Iconic product development
Parks as role models for sustainability and eco design Examples from across Australia will be used to illustrate the various issues and opportunities including examples local to Alice Springs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biography
Leanne McLaughlin is currently Assistant Director, Tourism and National Landscapes with Parks Australia. Working with the Australian Government since 2005, she has focused on the development of nature-based, indigenous and sustainable tourism policy. Leanne is a strong advocate for the valuable role that tourism plays towards increased understanding and appreciation of our culture and natural environments. Prior to this, Leanne lectured in Tourism and Hospitality, specialising in marketing and management. Her passion for the industry stems from her time in hotel, restaurant and club management and she holds a BA in Tourism.

National Landscapes – Planning and Partnerships
National Landscapes is a partnership between Tourism Australia and Parks Australia to identify landscapes which capture the essence of Australia and offer distinctive natural and cultural experiences. National Landscapes highlight unique Australian experiences to the global audience known as Experience Seekers. The program aims to promote sustainable nature-based tourism and conservation outcomes through planning and effective management. The first eight National Landscapes were announced in June 2008 and include Australia’s Red Centre, Australian Alps, Green Cauldron, Great Ocean Road, Kakadu, Australia’s Coastal Wilderness, Greater Blue Mountains and the Flinders Ranges. Several of these areas have now completed tourism master planning and the benefits are starting to show.

 

 

 

 

 

Biography
Ross McLennan grew up in a small family tourism business 103 km North West of Townsville called Hidden Valley Cabins. This family business has been owned and operated by the McLennan family since 1986.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biography
Shannon Murray began her career in eco tourism leading tours through limestone caverns near Rockhampton in Queensland. During this time she completed a Batchelor of Tourism (Marketing) before turning her attention to guided bird walks and bush tucker talks on World Heritage listed Fraser Island. After three years teaching English abroad, she returned to Australia to work for the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, developing interpretive signs, brochures and websites for national parks across Central Queensland. She went on to develop her interpretation skills as a private contractor, before her interest in working with Aboriginal people in jointly managed national parks lead to her current role as Kakadu’s Tourism Services Officer. Shannon works closely with the Park’s traditional owners, commercial tour operators, media and other stakeholders to implement tourism programs under Kakadu’s management plan.

Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides
World Heritage listed for both cultural and natural values, Kakadu is Aboriginal land. Kakadu’s traditional owners are proud to share their country with visitors. It is important to them that visitors are told the right stories about their country and culture, that their country is respected and that safety is made a priority for everyone. Tour guides are the frontline of tourism in Kakadu. The quality of information they deliver is critical to providing enriching visitor experiences. To help them provide quality experiences, Kakadu National Park developed the Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides program. An Australian first, this entry-level training is compulsory for all guides working in Kakadu. Developing and implementing this innovative program has not been without its challenges, but the benefits the training has delivered are substantial. Learn about Kakadu’s experience in fostering a new era of quality guiding and interpretation in one of Australia’s iconic national parks.