Thursday 27 October 2005

Australia’s peak agency for managing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is rewarding tourism operators who are helping achieve best practice marine tourism.

By working in partnership with tourism operators, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is aiming to ensure sustainable use of one of Australia’s most internationally recognised tourism icons.

GBRMPA Tourism and Recreation Director Lisha Mulqueeny said the initiative created business and regulatory incentives for operators to look after the Reef.

“Appropriately certified marine tourism operators are rewarded for best environmental practice, becoming eligible for 15-year permits to operate on the Reef and being showcased by the GBRMPA,” she said.

“Certification can be granted by Ecotourism Australia through their national Eco Certification Program. This Program identifies ecotourism and nature based tourism operators committed to high standard tourism in the Marine Park.

“Industry uptake and interest in certification has been very pleasing with a range of Marine Park operators already becoming certified.”

Ms Mulqueeny said fostering high standard tourism was integral to managing and protecting the Reef.

“Our approach involves working in partnership with industry to reach the common goal of a healthy reef,” Ms Mulqueeny said.

“The tourism industry recognises that a healthy reef and higher industry standards mean a more attractive tourism product, more satisfied customers, and this only boosts their bottom line.

“It is vital to ensure appropriate and commercially viable management arrangements are in place to successfully protect this vast area.”

Australia’s marine tourism industry comprises more than 820 permitted tourism operators, with an annual industry contribution of $5.1 billion to the Australian economy.

Ms Mulqueeny said the tourism industry was committed to a range of programs that contribute to a healthy Great Barrier Reef.

“These projects enable an increased focus by individual tourism operators on site stewardship, and care and protection of the Reef,” she said. It includes incident reporting, on-the-reef monitoring and research, and joint water quality monitoring, plus an independent, expertise-based Tourism and Recreation and Reef Advisory Committee.