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Parks Victoria

Friday 19 July

Winter Edition

Dear Operator,

Apologies for the previous Licensed Tour Operator Newsletter that was sent to you in error. We have since amended the invalid links.

It is that time of year again, the update for 2013/14 are well advanced.

After a busy yet productive year Parks Victoria has seen, a 14 per cent growth in the number of licences issued due in part to several compliance activities, which identified unlicensed operators.

This edition of the LTO news update offers a reminder of trip returns, key licensing dates, licence application instructions and Industry news.

Licensing Update July 2013

Trip returns form & use fee payments 2012-13 - A reminder to all operators that conditions 3 and 10 of your Tour Operator Licence requires you to submit Trip Return documentation and Use fee payments for all tours and activities on Parks Victoria and Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) managed land including state waters.

We remind all multi-year licence holders to submit trip return documentation and use fee payments in accordance with the conditions outlined above to maintain an active licence.

Trip return documentation and use fee payments are due prior to 21 July 2013 in accordance with the Regulations.

Payments not received by this date may be required to pay interest on use fees as prescribed under condition 3.6 of your licence.

All operators who nominate to pay the Cap Fee will be invoiced but must provide Trip Returns in line with regulations.

Please ensure you forward completed Trip Return documentation to your LTO Business Contact Officer or submit documentation with your 2013/14 licence application.

Quarter 1 = 1 July – 30 September 2012

Quarter 2 = 1 October- 31 December 2012

Quarter 3 = 1 January- 31 March 2013

Quarter 4 = 1 April- 30 June 2013

The Trip Return Form is available on http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/park-management/applications,-licences-and-permits/licensed-tour-operators

Changes to licensing for 2013/2014

Fees for 2013/2014 are increasing in accordance Tour Operator Fee Regulations 2011.

More information about the fee structure can be found here; http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/recreation-and-tourism/tourism-on-public-land/public-land-tour-operator-and-activity-provider-licence-reform-project/tour-operator-licensing-fact-sheets/tour-operator-licence-fees

2013-14 Licence Application period

The 2013-14 application form and supporting documentation is available on http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/591596/LTO_2013_2014_application_form.pdf

A hard copy can be posted out upon request. To prepare for the licensing period please ensure that you have the following documentation;

• Certificate of Currency (COC) - Ensure that all your licensed activities and Parks Victoria are noted on your Certificate of Currency. Refer to the COC checklist http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/591598/LTO_public_liability_insurance_checklist_2013_2014.pdf   

• Trip Return documentation and Use Fees - Operators must submit the required documentation either prior to or with their application. We will not process your licence application without this requirement finalised.

• Accreditation certificate – if you wish to apply for a multi-year licence please submit a valid accreditation certificate with your application.

If you are thinking of altering tour schedule including adding locations or activities now would be a good time to speak with the Ranger-in Charge in the area you wish to operate.

To hasten the 2013/14 application process a tick box will be available on the application form for operators not altering their licence. Parks Victoria requires your business details to be filled in to ensure records are accurate. Please do not attach the annual fee payment to your application. You will be invoiced upon licence approval.

To assist with licensing this year we have prepared a ‘how to become licensed’ document that will provide helpful hints on making licensing easier for you.

If you are unable to re-apply for any reason prior to the end of August, please inform Tourism Partnerships Unit.

If you no longer operating on Parks Victoria or Department of Environment and Primary Industries managed lands including state waters, please inform Tourism Partnerships Unit.

Key Licensing Dates

• June 25 – Licence release, web version (hardcopy available upon request)

• July 2 – Licence processing commences

• September 3 – First application reminder notice (email)

• September 13 - Second and final application reminder notice (email)

• September 28 – Licence cancellation letter sent

Value Add Program – Parks Victoria has continued to promote the variety of amazing experiences that our LTOs offer. Two full-page advertisements were placed in the Destination Melbourne Autumn and Spring 2013 Official Visitors Guide. The Parks Victoria Membership Mark is made available for use on marketing collateral and websites along with a full listing of all operating LTOs on Parks Victoria’s website with live links to operator’s websites. In addition to tourism and business professionalism opportunities by way of the Ecotourism Australia Subsidy Programs and promotion at tourism trade shows such as Australian Tourism Exchange

Australian Tourism Exchange Sydney 2013

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ATE is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and provides an important opportunity for Australian experiences to showcase their products to over 700 international buyers and media. The event this year, held in Sydney 26 – 30 April, saw a change of format with Eastern and Western hemispheres appointment schedules merged. This provided an excellent opportunity to target nature-based, ecotourism and FIT wholesalers in the key markets including United Kingdom, Germany, Europe, USA, Korea, China, New Zealand and Japan.

Alysia Brandenburg Tourism Manager and Prue Daley Grampians National Park conducted appointments with 52 wholesalers, Tourism Australia in-market managers and key international media outlets. They also held briefings with all Tourism Victoria in-market desk managers. Demand for information on national park experiences particularly Wilsons Promontory, Grampians, Port Campbell, Otways, Alpine national parks continues to be high. Parks Victoria products Wilderness Retreats and Great Ocean Walk also demonstrated high levels of awareness and both are featured in wholesaler’s brochures and offers.

The Parks Victoria ATE product manual highlighting 62 internationally ready tour operators was well received and to reduce costs was uploaded onto cloud-based portals.

Walk Victoria's Icon Brand Update

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(Stonework bridge under construction on the Grampians Peaks Trail)

Construction and planning tasks continue on the Walk Victoria’s Icons.

  • Great Ocean Walk has had significant lengths of new walking track constructed and upgrading of existing walking track works completed in recent months, totalling approximately 30km of upgraded or new walking track. Works have commenced on Great Ocean Road underpass and the extension of the walking track from Gibson Steps to the Twelve Apostles. This section of the walk will be opened in Spring.
  • A master plan for the Grampians Peaks Trail is nearing completion and will guide the future stages of the trail from north to south, over 140km, broken into segments of two and three nights. Consultation with stakeholders about the draft plan is to commence in the next few months. Works have commenced on the first stage, which provides a two – night return loop track from Halls Gap.
  • Falls To Hotham Alpine Crossing walk will be launched in Spring and provide a two - night walk on upgraded walking track and opportunity to book new tent platforms. Planning for further improvements and options on the walking track route will get underway in the next few months with a master plan process subject to funding.

Ecotourism Australia ECO Certification Partnership

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In May 2007, Parks Victoria and Ecotourism Australia launched its Ecotourism Subsidy Program 2010-12, a tourism initiative aimed to increase business and operator professionalism for Victorian licence tour operators, in addition to supporting key directions under Victoria’s Nature-based Tourism Strategy 2008-12.

After seven years, supporting this initiative Parks Victoria and Ecotourism Australia are exploring new and innovative tourism and business professionalism opportunities for Victorian LTOs.

Highlights of the Ecotourism Subsidy Program partnership’s success include:

2012: Third Subsidy

  • 17 Victorian licensed tour operators have achieved ECO IV Certification Upgrade.

2009-2012: Second Subsidy

  • 40 Victorian licensed tour operators are ECO Certified, 15 new operators ECO Certified.
  • Five Victorian licensed tour operators are ECO Guide Certified.

2007-2009: First Subsidy

  • By the end of 2009, 24 Victorian licensed tour operators are ECO Certified.
  • Prior to the subsidy launch in 2007 there was 12 Victorian licensed tour operators ECO Certified.

“Parks Victoria is setting a fantastic example for the tourism operators in their state. We congratulate Parks Victoria on receiving the highest level of ECO Certification, Advanced Ecotourism and Respecting Our Culture certification for Mount Buffalo National Park, Buchan Caves Reserve, the Great Ocean Walk and Wilderness Retreats”, says Rod Hillman, CEO, Ecotourism Australia.

OXFAM 2013

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The first team to enter the Oxfam Trailwalker with a member requiring a wheelchair has completed the 100km trek with 16 hours to spare, well within the 48 hour cutoff.

Parks Victoria’s teams crossed the finish line on Saturday afternoon in just over 32 hours and delivering the message emblazoned on their team shirts, ‘Access for all in parks’.

Scott Lever, Tour Operator Liaison Officer was one of an eight person team that help to set a new world record. 

 

South Bay Eco Adventures Tourism Familiarisation

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South Bay Eco Adventures is an ecotourism company specialising in sightseeing boat tours of Southern Port Phillip Bay, the Rip and Port Phillip Heads. South Bay Eco Adventures won the New Tourism Development Award at the 2012 RACV Tourism Awards.

Tourism Partnerships along with representatives from Tourism Victoria, Geelong Otway Tourism and Victorian Tourism Industry Council engaged in a tourism familiarisation with South Bay Eco Adventures in February this year.

The familiarisation provided an opportunity for Parks Victoria and its key tourism stakeholders to get a first-hand experience on one of Victoria’s popular marine based tourism attraction.

The tourism familiarisation was an enjoyable experience had by all not to mention the fantastic lunch on Mud Island.

Wildlife Coast Cruises-Seal Watching Cruise

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Rachelle Hooke, William Angliss

As part of my work placement with Parks Victoria I had the privilege of going on my first tourism familiarisation with Wildlife Coast Cruises Seal Watching Cruise. Our day started at midday travelling the coast to make our way to Seal Rocks. Arriving at Nobbies and the Blowhole I had the opportunity to view the Australian Fur Seal up close in their natural habitat-absolutely amazing! Throughout the tour, the captain gave an onboard informative interpretation and education on the history of some of the landmarks. When we arrived at Seal Rocks, I was surprised at the thousands of seals, sleeping, sunbaking and playing. Whilst observing and being thoroughly entertained by the many seals, the captain provided commentary on the native Australian species and spoke of their mortality rate-which is 50%, majority of them die young from predators such as sharks and whales which was sad to hear.

Overall, the day was extremely enjoyable and educational. I felt that all the staff on board were friendly, informative and were able to answer any questions asked. The weather was nice, the food provided was delicious and the seals were obviously the ultimate highlight of the day.

‘SPOTLIGHT’ Licensed Tour Operators in the Limelight

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Congratulations! Great Ocean Road Surf Tours for recently winning The Telstra Micro-Business Award 2013 in recognition for their business excellence and commitment to ecotourism and sustainability. Riding high of their success Great Ocean Road Surf Tours are off to Sydney for the National awards night on 22nd August.

Echidna Walkabout also shared the limelight receiving Trip Advisors Certificate of Excellence 2013 awarded for their ‘Koalas & Kangaroos in the Wild'  tour being in the top-performing 10% of all businesses worldwide on TripAdvisor. This award is given to businesses that consistently earn high ratings from TripAdvisor travellers. Well done, Great Ocean Road Surf Tours and Echinda Walkabout!

Well done, Echinda Walkabout and Great Ocean Road Surf Tours!

National Tourism & Events Excellence Conference

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National Tourism and Events Excellence Conference

Special Operators’ Workshop: Just $250!

One day only - Monday, July 22, 2013  

Register now: http://www.teeconference.com/registration2013.php

RACV Gippsland Tourism Conference 2013

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Two Day Workshop - 27 & 28 August 2013

RACV Inverloch Resort

Register Now: http://destinationgippsland.com.au/resources/gippsland-tourism-conference-2013

For More Information

Visit the Parks Victoria website http://www.parks.vic.gov.au or phone 13 1963