On 17 August 2009, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Chairman, Dr Russell Reichelt, along with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Officer, Mr Daniel Gschwind, and the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators Executive Director, Mr Col McKenzie, launched the Great Barrier Reef Tourism Climate Change Action Strategy 2009 - 2012 at the Tourism Futures Conference on behalf of the Great Barrier Reef Tourism Climate Change Action Group.

The Great Barrier Reef Tourism Climate Change Action Strategy 2009 - 2012 provides a way forward for the Reef tourism industry, government and other partners to take action in response to climate change.

• Great Barrier Reef Tourism Climate Change Action Strategy 2009 - 2012 [PDF 3305KB]
• Great Barrier Reef Tourism Climate Change Action Strategy 2009 - 2012 (Abridged) [PDF 2005KB]

The Great Barrier Reef Tourism Climate Change Action Group

The Great Barrier Reef Tourism Climate Change Action Group is made up of:

• Daniel Gschwind, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Tourism Industry Council
• Col McKenzie, Executive Director, Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators
• Lisha Mulqueeny, Director Tourism and Recreation Group, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
• Paul Marshall, Director Climate Change Group, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
• Tony Charters, Ecotourism Association
• Tony Baker, Managing Director, Quicksilver Group
• Therese Phillips, Director Industry Innovation, Tourism Queensland
• Peter Gash, Managing Director, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
• Deb Lewis, Executive Secretary, Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association
• John Hicks, Business Manager Marine Directorate, Department of Environment and Resource Management

What are tourism operators doing now?

Tourism operators are working with the GBRMPA to reduce their impact on the Great Barrier Reef. Some operators are:

• Calculating and reducing their carbon emissions
• Trialling alternative energy sources such as biofuels
• Becoming climate certified through Ecotourism Australia
  
• Offsetting the emissions created by their business.

The GBRMPA has developed tools to assist tourism operators to reduce their emissions and adapt to climate change. These tools include: 

• A carbon emissions calculator for tourism operators
• Case studies outlining how some operators have reduced their emissions
• Information on climate change and its potential impacts on the Marine Park.

Related Links

• Tools for tourism operators
• How to choose a high standard tourism operator
  
• Calculate carbon emissions for your holiday