SOCIAL IMPACT
As tourism grows, it’s becoming increasingly important to not only measure economic benefits but also to understand how tourism impacts local communities—the people, culture, and the region’s liveability that make a destination unique.
ART and project partner, Nourish Group, will work with a region to develop a social impact framework that helps regions assess how tourism is contributing to local wellbeing and community engagement. By focusing on areas such as local employment and community and social wellbeing, our assessment tools give RTOs and LGAs the insights they need to make informed decisions and develop strategies that benefit both visitors and residents.
Whether your region is just starting to explore social impact or you’re ready to refine your approach, this program is designed to support you every step of the way. From data collection to reporting, our team works closely with your region to ensure the social value of tourism is quantified and becomes an outcome you conscious choose to improve.
Join the growing number of regions that are leading the way in sustainable tourism by engaging with our social impact assessment program.
To learn more or to just get started on your journey, fill in the form below and let’s work together to ensure tourism in your region benefits everyone.
Expression of Interest Form
FAQ
What is social impact in tourism?
Social impact in tourism refers to the effect tourism has on the wellbeing of local communities, including areas like employment and social and community wellbeing. It looks beyond economic gains to understand how tourism benefits (affects or impacts) the people and places that host visitors.
Why should tourism regions and local governments care about social impact?
Understanding social impact helps regions make informed decisions that promote long-term community wellbeing, protect local heritage, and foster local pride. It’s not just about attracting more visitors but ensuring that tourism supports local quality of life and sustainability.
What will the social impact assessment program involve?
The program offers a structured approach to measure and evaluate how tourism development programs (supply side) affects your community across key areas like employment, capability and capacity building, and community wellbeing. It includes data collection, analysis, and reporting using validated social impact tools to provide clear insights and benchmarks which can be used to develop actions and steps. We will also temperature check your community’s sentiment towards tourism.
How is this program tailored to individual regions?
Every region who participates will engage its own stakeholders to define and prioritise the social impacts most important to that region. We will use two common metrics to allow ART to align regions, but then also customise the assessment framework to reflect your specific tourism context, local challenges, and goals. We work with you to focus on the areas most relevant to your community, ensuring the results are meaningful and actionable.
Who can participate in the social impact assessment program?
This program is open to regional tourism organisations (RTOs) and local government areas (LGAs) across Australia that want to understand and enhance the social value of tourism in their regions.
What benefits can my region expect from participating?
You’ll gain a different perspective of how tourism is contributing to your community, identify key opportunities for improvement, and develop strategies to enhance the positive impacts of tourism. Ultimately, it can help create more integrated and inclusive tourism strategies.
How long does it take to complete a social impact assessment?
The timeline can vary depending on the size of the region and the depth of the assessment. Generally, it takes a few months from initial consultation to the delivery of the final impact report, including data collection and analysis.
What kind of data will be collected during the assessment?
The assessment focuses on both quantitative and qualitative data, such as local employment figures, community feedback, resident engagement and insights from people employed in tourism and beyond. We tailor the data collection methods to your region’s needs and goals.
How does the partnership between ART and Nourish Group work?
ART and Nourish Group collaborate to deliver expert guidance and tools throughout the assessment process. ART connects regions with the program, while Nourish Group provides the framework, resources, and support to ensure successful and consistent assessments and actionable insights.
How can my region get started on this journey?
Contact ART CEO, Lauren Douglass via eo@regionaltourism.com.au to express your interest and schedule an initial consultation with Nourish Group. We’ll guide you through the next steps and work with your region to begin the social impact assessment process tailored to your community’s unique needs.