"When the Australian Democrats made ecotourism a central plank in our 1993 Election Platform we were mocked by the major parties and elements of the media, but today our vision was confirmed," Australian Democrats leader, Mike Elliott, said today.

"The all party ERD Committee unanimous report into ecotourism tabled in parliament today found that South Australia is missing opportunities through under performance despite immense natural potential.

"It shows that the State Government has let ecotourism lag behind the rest of the nation which continues to cost this state money and jobs.

"Now that the Government has woken up to the fact that ecotourism is the fastest growing sector in world tourism, it cannot continue to neglect this industry and must commit resources to implementing the findings of this report.

"The Report found that South Australia currently has a disproportionately low recognition for ecotourism and lower participation rates relative to other states.

"While the State Government identified ecotourism in this year’s State Budget, there was no money set aside for the increased impact of visitation on our parks through ecotourism."

The Report’s findings include:

• Greater emphasis on links between our universities and regional education institutions as well as a trial group traineeships scheme in a region to improve employment prospects within ecotourism;
• Significant changes within the SA Tourism Commission to assist in national ecotourism accreditation, better integration with indigenous tourism, and the development of theme based tourism;
• The National Parks and Wildlife Service to assess and accelerate Park Management Plans as well as allocate further resources for monitoring the impacts of ecotourism;
• The employment of a fulltime Aboriginal Project Officer to work with the SATC and NPWS to support the growth of indigenous ecotourism in South Australia;
• Increased Government resources devoted to seed funding for new project as well as research and promotion of this state’s natural and scientific attractions;
• Changes to the Pastoral Land Act to allow ecotourism on pastoral leases.