PRESS RELEASE: Tour Guides Australia recommends the Victorian Government issue a single licence for tour operators on public land tenures

Latest Press Release

Leading industry association Tour Guides Australia have made their submission to the Victorian Government regarding the Public land tour operator and activity provider licensing review 2023.

Tour Guides Australia fully supports the stated aims of the review to provide improvements to the current policy that make it simpler, more efficient, and fairer, and support high-quality nature-based tourism and commercial education and recreation on public land that is respectful of Traditional Owners and First Nations Peoples, safe, and sustainable. However, Tour Guides Australia believes the current policy needs to be simplified, more manageable, and less expensive for independent tour guides and small tour operators.

President of Tour Guides Australia Leanne Saward says, “The policy requires separate licences from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Parks Victoria and many other delegated land managers. Tour Guides Australia recommends a single licence over all public land tenures one organisation administers.”

In addition to recommending a single licence over all public land tenures, Tour Guides Australia recommend a sliding scale for annual fees based on business turnover with a lower annual cost for small businesses, certainty on who needs to hold a Tour Operator Licence and a more straightforward application for independent tour guides and small tour operators offering bespoke private tours.

The Tour Guides Australia national committee met this week to reaffirm their commitment to ongoing national advocacy, a more robust connection to industry and an expanded job-ready and industry-relevant micro-credential training for new Tour Guides, in support of THRIVE 2030, Australia’s national strategy for the long-term sustainable growth of the visitor economy.

Media Contacts:

Name: Leanne SawardCompany: Tour Guides AustraliaEmail: [email protected]Phone: 0403 363 385

Attachments:

July 27, 2023/by Reland Pigte

About Tour Guides Australia

Tour Guides Australia was formed in 2021 when the Professional Tour Guides Association of Australia amalgamated with Guiding Organisations Australia. Tour Guides Australia has undertaken professional tour guide accreditation and professional development since 1985. Tour Guides Australia is a member-run association supporting education, professional development, advocacy, and career support. For more information, visit www.tga.org.au

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