For Dr Diane Lee, tourism is no holiday

Based at the Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism at Murdoch, Dr Lee has spent two years working with the CSIRO to determine the impact of new tourism ventures on the Tapestry region (the Shires of Harvey, Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup, Capel and Bunbury).

We have taken a holistic view of tourism in community, talking not only to tourism operators, but also to organisations that might be indirectly affected by changes in the tourism trade such as police, hospital, and State Emergency Services, she said.

Our aim was to discover what was unique about the region, and to use 10,000 visitor surveys and interviews with 230 local businesses to enhance tourism opportunities and create a simulation model to prepare scenarios on the impact of further growth.

Dr Lee said the simulation model, which is nearing completion, provides the Tapestry region stakeholders with information about the tourism market and the potential impact of future industry growth.

The model works from a comprehensive view of the visitors to the region, and may be able to demonstrate the problems for current infrastructure or potential employment opportunities if, for example, the Shires try to expand their share of the nature-based tourism, said Dr Lee.

Tourism is an important part of regional development, and this is a wonderful example of how local government and local organisations can work closely with educational institutions, State and Federal governments to enhance the opportunities in their region.

Results from this project have broad applications for other regions as well.

Research for this CRC for Sustainable Tourism project was conducted with the CSIRO and Murdoch and Edith Cowan Universities, with funding from the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business.