Supporting regional economies
As well as conserving our biodiversity, the National Reserve System's protected areas have significant economic and social benefits.
In 2007 the nature-based tourism sector contributed over $25 billion to the Australian economy, and over 15 million people visited our parks and reserves.
In regional Australia, tourism accounts for 9.6 per cent of total employment and more than 200,000 jobs
DITR Tourism Facts & Figures at a Glance
The reserves not only create direct local jobs in land management, but also support businesses in rural areas by buying goods and contract services locally. In remote Australia, Indigenous Protected Areas are a powerful driver of economic development, providing communities with meaningful jobs looking after country and measurable benefits in health, education and social cohesion.
Australia's national parks and reserves are drivers of national and international tourism, attracting millions of visitors every year and generating billions of dollars for the Australian economy.
Protected areas offer visitors experiences that are uniquely Australian, such as camping, bushwalking, river cruises, educational camps, wildlife tours and engagement with Indigenous culture. For many regional economies, tourism brings much needed jobs and a new cashflow to local businesses.
Many new non-government reserves are finding new business opportunities in ecotourism.
National Reserve System video
