BALANCING CONSERVATION AND VISITOR MANAGEMENT IN PROTECTED AREAS

PROTECTED AREA VISITOR MANAGEMENT

At TRC Tourism, we understand the delicate balance between tourism, recreation, and conservation. Our team, consisting of former protected area managers and seasoned tourism experts, brings a deep understanding of both sides of this equation. Parks and protected areas need visitors—not only for engagement and enjoyment but to foster care, appreciation, and advocacy for the environment. In turn, visitors seek spaces to connect with nature, learn, and spend quality time. Through collaboration with park managers and local communities, we help achieve a mutual understanding of these needs, ensuring that all stakeholders—parks, managers, communities, and visitors—work towards shared goals.

Our Approach

Visitor management goes beyond controlling behaviour; it’s about fostering a deeper understanding of visitor dynamics. Our approach focuses on providing exceptional nature-based experiences that encourage awareness and appreciation for park values. By using education, open communication, and well-designed visitor experiences, we ensure that park visitors understand their role in conservation. We apply a blend of observation, monitoring, benchmarking, and best practices to create visitor management strategies that maintain the right balance between park conservation and visitor needs.

Eco Destination – Global Green Destination Standards

A successful conservation and visitor management strategy is one that integrates both sustainable practices and visitor engagement. Achieving the status of an Eco Destination is a powerful way to showcase these efforts. The Global Green Destination Standards provide a globally recognized framework for parks to celebrate and report their sustainable tourism practices. TRC can guide your park through the process of meeting these standards and achieving global recognition.

We focus on community stewardship of natural resources and fostering partnerships to support park management and conservation. This includes delivering high-quality visitor experiences that meet expectations while ensuring sustainable resource management.

 

What We Offer

TRC works alongside a diverse range of protected area managers, developers, agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders to establish the right balance between tourism and conservation. Our services include:

Tailored strategies to address visitor needs and effectively manage the relationship between visitors, stakeholders, and protected areas.

Comprehensive frameworks for Protected Area management, aligning with global best practices from UNESCO and the Sustainable Development Goals. These plans articulate the vision for the park and outline the necessary strategies and actions for success.

Development of concept designs, master plans, and support for the planning and implementation of park projects, such as visitor and cultural centres, trails, infrastructure, and recreational experiences.

Crafting visitor interpretation strategies that capture the core stories of the Protected Area—its landscapes, unique flora and fauna, cultural heritage, and the importance of conservation. We determine the most effective methods for sharing these stories through signs, digital media, visitor centres, and live experiences. 

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Business case development for protected area projects and related products, with a focus on the environmental, economic, social, health, and cultural benefits that support sustainable development.

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Comprehensive assessment of visitor and environmental monitoring, with advice on how to measure performance and drive continuous improvement.

By aligning conservation goals with thoughtful visitor management, we ensure protected areas remain vibrant and resilient for generations to come. TRC Tourism offers strategic solutions that protect both natural environments and the visitor experience, ensuring a lasting balance between conservation, tourism and recreation. 

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PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

TESTIMONIALS

Gippsland Destination Management Plan

Janet and the TRC team did a great job with the Gippsland Destination Management Plan and I would recommend them to any regional tourism organisation.

Terry Robinson | CEO | Destination Gippsland

Kokoda Track Maintenance Program and Operations Manual 

The TRC team mobilised rapidly to PNG to assess and repair Kokoda Track bridges severely damaged in the very heavy wet season of last year being choppered into the remote rugged terrain of the Track. Working in very well with The Kokoda Track Authority Rangers, Kokoda Initiative and local communities their efforts and skill contributed greatly to the Kokoda Track being ready for the 2019 trekking season. Remote communities also benefited from being reconnected across the often treacherous river crossings. TRC also helped build the capacities of The Kokoda Track Authority Rangers and local communities to explore ways for future sustainable bridge building and general track maintenance works. The resultant Track Operations Manual produced by TRC is expected to be a valuable guide for future Kokoda Track works.

Damien Mate | Senior Program Manager | Kokoda Initiative Partnership

Queenstown Trails for the future 2015-2025

From the outset the TRC team were responsive, intelligent, forward thinking and always available. The Queenstown Trails Trust worked with the TRC team in 2015 to craft a 10 Year Strategic Plan. The nature of our business involves very important stakeholders, great vision and many face to face meetings to form our plan. . The result of this partnership being a very robust and well thought out plan that we are proud to utilise to assist us in setting the future path of the Queenstown Trails Trust. Interestingly – TRC also formulated the original Trails Trust plan way back in 2004 – it was great to have the opportunity of working with TRC again as they truly understand our business.

Mandy Kennedy | CEO | Queenstown Trails Trust (New Zealand)

Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Visitor Experience Strategy

TRC delivered a quality Visitor Experience Strategy for our organisation in a short timeframe. They took a practical approach that included gaining insight from the project’s key stakeholders and tied together the various elements of the project’s vision into a cohesive, actionable strategy.

Hudson Dodd | General Manager | Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust

Baw Baw Destination Action Plan, Marketing Plan & Recreational Vehicle and Tourism Signage Plan

TRC’s expertise in developing successful strategies regarding visitor economies and regional tourism proved extremely helpful to Baw Baw Shire Council when it sought guidance in enhancing its own Tourism Marketing Strategy, as well as in creating detailed action plans for three hero destinations across the Shire.

Mark Kestigian | Executive Manager Communications & Economic Development | Baw Baw Shire Council

Destination Management Plan for Destination Southern NSW

TRC prepared and finalised our Regional Destination Management Plan on time and on budget. TRC provided great professional advice throughout the project – they also took on board the view and guidance we gave. From the outset we wanted a strong partnership with our contractor and that is exactly what we got from TRC – beginning to end.

General Manager | Destination Southern NSW

Wellington Regional Trails Framework

In 2017 TRC worked with land managers and stakeholders from around the Wellington Region to develop the Wellington Regional Trails Framework. TRC’s destination management expertise, experience and professional approach was critical to the success of this ambitious project, that has seen 11 different agencies align their approaches and come together to move Wellington from an ‘under the radar’ network of tracks to a world class trails destination for residents and visitors alike.

Sarah Murray | Community Partnerships Manager | Parks, Sport and Recreation | Wellington City Council

Concept Plan for Adventure Cycling in the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park

TRC Tourism’s Concept Plan for Adventure Cycling in the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park exceeded expectations. The case it presents for a new, nationally significant tourism product is so compelling it has attracted immediate government investment and presents exciting opportunities for private investors and Aboriginal Traditional Owners.

Mac Moyses | Director Planning | NT Parks and Wildlife Commission

Hamilton and Waikato Tourism Opportunities Plan

During 2016, the TRC team worked with Hamilton & Waikato Tourism and regional stakeholders to develop a comprehensive Tourism Opportunities Plan to identify opportunities for new and improved visitor experiences that had the greatest potential to drive growth. The TRC team brought significant experience in destination management and planning and a fresh perspective to the project. They were excellent to work with, engaged effectively with stakeholders and applied critical insights and analysis to complex issues.

Kiri Goulter

Tourism Infrastructure Audit for Northern Tasmania

Tourism Northern Tasmania set out to define the private and public sector investment needed to sustain intelligent growth in the visitor economy for the region. TRC and their associates provided the well-rounded analysis, consultation and reporting that resulted in a clear vision of what to develop, where across Northern Tasmania. Less than six months from endorsing the final work and we are already seeing significant progress on three key infrastructure projects as well as active interest from private sector investors to take on opportunities profiled in work.

Chris Griffin | CEO | Tourism Northern Tasmania

Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary Concept and Interpretation Plan

I really appreciated the TRC Team’s professional and honest opinions in the final report and the thorough and thoughtful approach with our stakeholders.

Jasmine Foxlee | Manager Community and Visitor Programs (Acting) | Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) | Environment and Planning Directorate

Coastal Pacific Trail Feasibility Assessment

With the November 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake, a potential opportunity was raised to develop a cycle trail from Picton to Kaikoura. TRC were engaged to perform an initial feasibility investigation. TRC were very professional and were able to provide independent guidance in their report on how governance structures should be set up should the project proceed, with likely jobs generated for the region. They delivered on time and to budget.

Richard Coningham | Manager Assets and Services | Marlborough District Council

Visitor Experience Strategy for Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

In engaging TRC Tourism the ACT Parks & Conservation Service was seeking to develop a holistic Visitor Experience Strategy for Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. As an iconic destination Tidbinbilla is ideally positioned to leverage from the emerging nature based tourism appetite for authentic experiences in a natural setting. Working with all stakeholders in a collaborative, intuitive manner TRC Tourism delivered a high quality outcome. A strategic blue print for the future.

Brett McNamara | Regional Manager | Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Namadgi National Park

New Zealand National Wetlands Trust Feasibility Study

Being a nationally significant project that will rely on tourist visits for its long-term financial sustainability, it’s crucial we get the best advice from professionals in the industry. TRC was our first port of call for a reality check on the feasibility of our proposal.

Karen Denyer | Executive Officer | National Wetland Trust