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The head of Grampians Tourism says more focus is needed on managing the number of visitors at the national park's biggest attractions, as a debate around accessibility for rock climbers continues.
Parks Victoria made eight locations in the Grampians off-limits to climbers in March, and has restricted access to Summerday Valley, near Laharum, to licensed tour operators for the next three months.
It comes amid concerns the sport is damaging Aboriginal rock art in the Grampians.
Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said about 86 per cent of all Victoria's rock art was in the Grampians.
"We have a rock art painting near Stawell called Bunjil's Shelter. Bunjil is the deity of traditional owners, and this is only painting of him in Victoria," he said.
"It's important to understand Parks Victoria has a responsibility to protect the environment and cultural assets for future generations. We are at a really important period for the national park and tourism as we continue to have double digit growth in visitor numbers.
Mr Sleeman said the environmental impacts over tourism on the Great Ocean Road were front of mind for Grampians Tourism. He said 2.6 million people visited the Grampians region - including Horsham and Dunkeld - every year.
"From our perspective, one of our key responsibilities is distributing guests across the park," he said.
"As an example, our messaging around MacKenzie Falls is for people to visit at four o'clock, because we know it's very popular and crowded around lunch time. Right now the visitor experience is not delivering on our brand promise due to the sheer numbers."
Mr Sleeman acknowledged businesses in the Grampians were being affected by the climbing restrictions and visitors concerns about these, and that it was working with Parks Victoria to ensure this impact was minimal.
Melbourne man Adrian Manikas took over Halls Gap business Absolute Outdoors four months ago. Dating back to 1989, it offers rock climbing, abseiling and mountain biking tours and support services for independent hikers.
He said businesses were feeling the brunt of many visitors believing that climbing was banned throughout the entire national park.
"There has been a downturn of people looking to come to the Grampians," he said.
"March through to summer is peak climbing season and right through winter and there is accommodation that would usually get big a big flow of international climbers and they have had bookings cancelled."
Mr Manikas said he didn't expect a solution to the problem in the short-term.
"The review of the Grampians management plan is going to take at least a year and the key is collaborating with all the stakeholders," he said.
"I've been chatting with two other guiding businesses in the hope we will be able to get on same page. if we do we should absolutely have position on that stakeholder table.
"The disappointing thing from a tour operator perspective is we haven't had consultation or any say in what's going on as professionals in the industry. We haven't been called on for any sort of advice."
Northern Grampians Shire Council mayor Kevin Erwin said he understands the importance of retaining the history but was hoping a happy medium could be met which respected both sides of the argument.
"I met with Parks Victoria chief executive Simon Talbot a few months ago and it didn't get off to a very good start," he said.
"Parks had not spoken to any of the local climbing people and no communication with shires or tourism bodies. At least they've started a conversation and had a couple since."
A Parks Victoria spokesperson said the organisation had been consulting with stakeholders in the lead-up to the closures.