6.0 LESSONS LEARNED
6.1 Keeping the Barrier Reef ‘Great’
for future generations requires
the cooperative and concerted
efforts of many parties. In this
case, the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority, the
Queensland Parks and Wildlife
Service, the marine tourism
industry, Ecotourism Australia
and other certification schemes,
other government agencies and
the community are all involved
in a common mission.
6.2 A partnership approach rather
than adversarial management can
lead to the best environmental
outcomes.
6.3 Senior level commitment to a
powerful vision, well thought out
implementation, and a partnership
approach with industry and
community is critical.
6.4 Incentives play a very important part in motivating people to adopt best practice
and partnership. Organizations involved in encouraging best practices must
be prepared to be generous and creative in providing incentives as well as in
committing to new ways of working with industry.
6.5 Incentives need not be expensive. For instance, in the case of the GBRMPA,
giving extended term permits has little, to no cost for the GBRMPA. It also
offers potential cost savings and productivity gains in the form of reduced
administration time and more available resources.
6.6 Achieving long term business commitment to tourism best practice in a
protected area is derived by partnering with industry to truly understand the
key factors of good business decision making, that are related to those that
impede and/or enhance business competitiveness.
6.7 Identification of these business factors provides the ‘hook’ upon which the
protected area manager is able to leverage on significant and commercially
viable incentives for tourism operators to invest voluntarily.