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Tourists more concerned about Great Barrier Reef threats than world heritage status

Tourists more concerned about Great Barrier Reef threats than world heritage status

New study reveals tourists more apprehensive about oil spills

A recent study by James Cook University has revealed tourists are more worried about an oil spill ruining the Great Barrier Reef than it being stripped of its World Heritage status. A team of researchers from JCU’s Business School, led by tourism expert Professor Bruce Prideaux, surveyed 980 visitors to Far North Queensland between September 2013 and February 2014.

The study explored Cairns tourists’ thoughts as to how the marine park may be affected by a range of threats, including oil spills, coral bleaching and UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee listing the site as “in danger”.

The report revealed tourists, especially those from overseas, were very concerned about the impact of damage through climate change or from oil spills. Results indicated that half of the respondents would probably not have visited the destination if the Great Barrier Reef had been affected by oil spills or the coral damaged through coral bleaching. Surprisingly, the loss of World Heritage was less of a concern.

The study authors said the study results should send a “sobering message” to policymakers that tourists were concerned about the environment. “They will vote with their feet and turn to other destinations if the Great Barrier Reef is perceived to suffer from oil spills, climate change or, by inference, from dredging,’’ they said.

“In an economic climate where governments of the day place job creation over the environment, it is worth noting that the environment also produces jobs that in many cases have the potential to far outlive mining sector jobs,” they added. The World Heritage Committee will meet in June 2015 to decide whether to formally declare the Reef as an asset in danger.

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