HELENSBURGH, NSW
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It’s my pleasure to officially open a unique project within the Australian Government’s TQUAL Grants program.
For more than 35 years, Symbio has been a local landmark in this part of New South Wales.
The park has given generations of visitors a hands-on experience of our wildlife.
Some of those who came as children are now bringing children of their own.
And today, the park has some of the world’s most treasured and endangered species.
The park is one of a number of visitor attractions in the region including Kelly’s Falls, bushwalking, horse-riding and the spectacular Sea Cliff Bridge on the Grand Pacific Drive.
Thanks to this project, you now have two Sumatran tigers in a re-vamped enclosure with landscaping and viewing areas.
The pools and climbing poles add to the authentic natural environment for the tigers.
It’s clear for anyone to see that Symbio is more than a business – it’s a passion.
It’s one of the largest family-owned, privately operated wildlife parks in the state.
Over the years, you’ve branched out from Australian native wildlife to more exotic animals – a popular decision, I’m told.
Innovation and diversification, after all, is what our long-term strategy for tourism is about.
And you’ve listened to your customers – another feature of successful tourism enterprise.
The data you collected, for instance, gave investors confidence in the viability of the tiger enclosure.
You’ve also been to see what works well in other zoos, to get a better idea of whether your own plans are feasible.
You have the opportunity to offer corporate functions and close encounters with the tigers, drawing even more visitors to the Illawarra region.
The income sustains the business and benefits animal conservation, a good objective in its own right.
And that’s especially important for the Sumatran tiger.
From this place, you inspire visitors to do their bit for conservation.
You were among the first to get accreditation from the Australian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria.
And since you acquired your two new guests, you’re a member of the Sumatran tiger program.
Only those institutions that demonstrate high standards of care and efficiency are recognised internationally.
And I know how much pride the staff take in their role, and how honoured you are to be recognised.
From the tourism industry’s point of view, a good attraction in one place benefits attractions for miles around.
And that’s good for the vibrancy of regional economies, and the many small businesses that rely on tourism.
In the South Coast region, for example, there are more than 4,300 businesses that rely on tourism to an extent.
And just over half of them employ fewer than 20 people, so the small business sector clearly benefits from tourism.
Just under eight million visitors came to this region last financial year, and between them they spent $1.8 billion.
This income benefits a wide range of local businesses, from cafes to book stores.
And thanks to new investment at Symbio, you are doing your bit to support local tradesmen and suppliers too.
TQUAL Grants and Accreditation
It’s worth remembering that around 47 cents in every dollar of tourism spending happens in regional areas.
That’s why it’s important that many regional projects are benefitting from TQUAL Grants.
By investing in good products and services, we enhance the supply side of the industry.
To date, we’ve allocated over $8 million to TQUAL Grants projects.
In turn, this investment helps tourism operators to carve out a greater share of business in a challenging global market.
So the Australian Government has committed an additional $40 million to TQUAL Grants over four years.
Grants of up to $100,000 are available for community projects, known as Tourism Quality Projects.
These grants encourage small businesses to innovate, and to make holidays in Australia an even more attractive prospect for overseas travellers and Australians alike.
TQUAL is also lending its name to a single national symbol of quality – the TQUAL mark.
The TQUAL mark will bring many of Australia’s tourism accreditation programs under one banner.
It’s all part of the National Tourism Accreditation Framework which, itself, ties in closely with our long-term strategy to make Australian tourism more competitive.
Every tourism accreditation program can apply for the right to allow all businesses under its wing to display the TQUAL mark.
The Tourism Quality Council of Australia will ensure accredited programs uphold the principles of quality and accountability.
The TQUAL mark gives quality businesses a competitive edge in the market place.
It also gives them a marketing advantage by association with an internationally recognised symbol of quality.
Tourism Australia, for example, will promote it vigorously.
Also, accredited operators listed on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse will be preferentially listed on Australia.com and other channels including state and territory websites.
It’s also an incentive for tourism operators to improve the quality of their products and services – regardless of whether they are part of an accreditation scheme.
For consumers, the TQUAL mark allows them to make better-informed choices.
That makes it more likely that consumers will get value for money once they’ve chosen.
The Australian Government has committed $5.5 million over four years to the National Tourism Accreditation Framework.
Applications are open, and I encourage tourism operators to make sure their accreditation scheme is part of it.
Conclusion
So in closing, I congratulate John Radnidge and everyone involved in the growth of the Symbio Wildlife Park.
You’re engaging with visitors to offer better experiences, more interaction and the satisfaction of learning about some of nature’s most cherished characters.
From your efforts, visitors have a new reason to come and enjoy the Illawarra region.
So I’m very pleased to officially open the new exhibit for Sumatran tigers at Symbio, a TQUAL Grants project.
Thank you