Nature-Based Tourism

Resources & Quick Links

Regional tourism organisations and representatives

Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP) is applicable to all sectors of the tourism industry including, tour operators, accommodation, visitor centres, attractions and events.

Licensed Tourism Operator (LTO) FAQs

A well supported sector

Nature-based Tourism is strongly represented by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) as well as 11 regional tourism boards and marketed effectively by Visit Victoria.

Therefore OV’s work in this space is a little different to what we do in other outdoor areas.

Through our close relationships with the Department of Environment Land Water & Planning (DELWP) & Parks Victoria OV keeps up-to-date with what’s happening and can share this information back to our community. We support proposed Nature-based initiatives that are consistent with OV’s vision, such as the Great Ocean Walk upgrade.

We also provide invaluable resources and practical support for Licensed Tour Operators (LTO’s) as holders of the current Victorian Adventure Activity Safety Guidelines (AAS)

Victoria’s Nature-Based Outdoor Economy Report

Key estimates and recommendations

A Marsden Jacob Report

Prepared for Outdoors Victoria & Sport and Recreation Victoria

Report Issued: 27.1.2016

Adventure Activity Standards (AAS)

The Adventure Activity Standards is a set of safety guidelines drafted by volunteer activity experts in each particular field for Victoria. They were created to assist adventure activity leaders in ensuring the safety of the groups they are responsible for. At the moment each state and territory maintains its own set of Adventure Activity Standards (AAS). These will remain the current standard in the respective state and territory until that state or territory adopts the Australian AAS, which is currently being drafted. Outdoors Victoria is the secretariat of the Australian AAS.

Policy: Invest in the regional outdoor economy

Strategic investment in outdoor infrastructure and events, as well as ecosystem health, is a powerful driver of prosperity and wellbeing for regional Victoria.

Have a look at our Outdoor Policy Agenda 2014

Nature-Based Tourism Forum

From 2015-2017 OV and Parks Victoria have co-hosted three Nature-Based Tourism Forums, one-day intensives focussed on nature-based tourism policy, business innovation and networking, with Parks Victoria. We attracted tourism operators from across the state to listen to industry specific news guest speakers such as Parks Vic CEO’s and management & DELWP.

Nature-Based Outdoor Activities

We’ve compiled a list of outdoor activities in Victoria for all ages, including links to seniors card discounts section. Contact us if your organisation provides an outdoor activity that you would like added to this section.

Parks Victoria

As well as sharing our home with the Westerfolds Parks Victoria crew, OV’s CEO and board have forged close ties withParks Vic senior management through co-hosted events and leadership networking days. We respect the hard work that Parks does in land management and advocating the outdoors to the wider community