Business View Oceania - June 2024

enhancing the understanding of animals in their ecosystems, is vital. We also address conservation issues and what actions can be taken to mitigate these challenges.” One of the most significant aspects of WTA’s mandate is its focus on ensuring minimal impact on biodiversity. This involves strict guidelines for tour operators and wildlife parks, ensuring their activities do not harm the wildlife or their habitats. Green says, “It’s impossible to have no impact at all, but we strive for minimal impact. Even when wildlife tourism has some effect, it’s often better than the alternative, such as clearing land for agriculture or industry.” CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES WTA faces several challenges, ranging from public liability insurance to balancing tourism with conservation. Public liability insurance has become a significant hurdle, particularly for private landowners who could benefit from hosting wildlife tourism but are deterred by the high insurance costs. Green explains,“Public liability insurance has become very expensive, and many operations have struggled or closed. We want to encourage landowners to maintain wildlife habitats by allowing tourism, but the insurance costs make it unfeasible for many.” Another challenge is the encroachment of development into protected areas. Despite the recommendation by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to protect 17% of land, Australia still falls short. Recent legislation allowing accommodation within national parks has raised concerns about the scale and impact of these protected areas. However, opportunities abound as well. Green highlights the potential for diverse wildlife tourism, especially in regional areas showcasing lesser- known species like the numbat in Western Australia. Promoting such diversity can benefit remote communities economically and foster a greater appreciation for Australia’s unique wildlife. Moreover, WTA aims to address the challenges of over-tourism and its impact on local communities. Green notes, “There are places where over-tourism nia, during a mid-conference tour in 2018 58 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06