Tourism & Forestry Protocol Agreement

Welcome

The initial Tourism-Forestry Protocol Agreement was implemented from September 2003. The Agreement was made between the following parties:

• Forestry Tasmania
• Tourism Industry Council Tasmania
• Forest Industries Association of Tasmania
• Private Forests Tasmania.

The Agreement has facilitated communication, consultation and liaison between the parties at both a strategic and operational level. The Agreement has also established a regular forum where the parties can meet to discuss issues and find mutually beneficial outcomes.

While the parties acknowledge the achievements of the Agreement, they are also committed to ensuring its ongoing relevance and refining it to respond to the current and future challenges.
The development of this Agreement takes the relationship to a higher level, committing both industries to a shared responsibility to protect the Tasmanian brand. Shared responsibility requires the parties to put substance above perception issues and to work cooperatively to resolve emerging issues of either substance or perception.
The parties recognise that together their respective industries are crucial to the delivery of sustainable growth of the Tasmanian economy and related employment and investment and that the tourism industry and the forestry industry will coexist in a manner that optimises the growth prospects of each.

Therefore it has been agreed that a new document reflecting the previous achievements, and tailored towards meeting these new challenges, is necessary. In particular, the parties consider it important for the Agreement to incorporate:

• a less formal structure that makes it more approachable for members of the tourism and forestry industries
• increased opportunity for education of members from each industry about the other
• a clear description of the existing rules (either through legislation or codes) that govern practices in each industry
• a clear description of the additional commitments being made by either party that are over and above mandated rules
• encouragement and recognition of operators in both industries to achieve the highest possible standards through relevant accreditation schemes and other industry recognition
• issues where there is joint interest and actual or potential externalities from practices in one industry on the other.

If you have any queries outside the scope of the Agreement, please contact info@tict.com.au