The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) has today welcomed the Uluru Board of Management’s decision to seek expressions of interest for ‘big ideas’ to develop new tourism and commercial activities within the iconic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

“Uluru is one of Australia’s most iconic natural attractions, attracting more than 270,000 visitors every year,” TTF CEO Margy Osmond said.

“There are already a host of fantastic experiences on offer for tourists at Uluru, but it’s important we focus on growing new visitor experiences and creating more business opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

“TTF is very supportive of the move to invite responsible and sustainable tourism activities and investment in Uluru-Kata Tjuta national park.

“Sensible and sustainable tourism and commercial activities in national parks like Uluru can enrich the visitor experience by allowing more people to visit, encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore the area further.

“Improving our ability to interact with our national parks will enhance the experience for visitors and foster a greater appreciation of the sustainable use of our natural environment.

“New tourism opportunities can improve visitor’s engagement with the iconic national park, which serves to deepen the broader community’s appreciation of a site’s natural and cultural heritage assets.

“Tourism and conservation are not mutually exclusive and can co-exist to meet visitor expectations through improving access and the visitor experience, while helping to achieve important conservation outcomes.

“These developments can also boost work and training opportunities for the park’s traditional owners, and provide employment for future generations,” she said.

The EOI will be open from 9 July 2015 until 30 September 2015.