Reef used as proverbial football in climate change debate
TOURISM
Perception is not necessarily reality. Whether this holds true when it relates to the Great Barrier Reef’s so-called demise is one for debate and also dependent on the side of the fence you preside.
This week in a front page story in The Australian, the future of the Reef and how it is supposedly impacting tourism to Far Northern Queensland, was highlighted under the blaze of a headline that read: “Green activists killing tourism on the reef”.
The Australian’s story led with the following: “Claims by environmental groups that the GBR is dying have pushed the north Queensland tourism industry to the point of ‘near recession’, with visitor numbers slumping amid negative perceptions of the natural wonder.”
Tourism operators in Port Douglas, for example, will tell you that there has been a drop in visitation, which is blamed on the belief that this region was adversely affected by the flooding that severely damaged Townsville; and the misunderstanding of Port Douglas’ proximity to Townsville.
As for the Reef, there are enough advocates who have the knowledge and understanding to relay the fact that the Reef is alive and well.
“You need to see the real thing and understand what is going on. An amazing job is being done on the Reef and everyone is proud of what is being done.
“The Reef should not be used as a political football and we should all be singing from the same page,” says Wendy Morris, Chair of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ).
Former Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne and Enterprise North executive manager, has weighed into the debate by saying he is not convinced northern Queensland tourism is on the brink of recession.
Responding to whether the northern Queensland tourism industry is being pushed to the point of 'near recession' because of a 'dying' GBR, Mr Byrne said no, not entirely.
“Regional Queensland economies are in negative territory in all indicators and in Cairns and NQ generally, the tourism industry is in decline. Sharply it must be said.
“There are glimpses of positivity with the odd event but it is not being sustained. The fact is the Great Barrier Reef is front and centre in the debate on climate change and the perception around the world is that it is in terminal decline which is wrong. The fact is there are loud voices shouting this out.”
He said the environmentalists are using the GBR as the cause celebre for the phoney debate on climate change, when questioned if the environmentalists are using the GBR as a political football, or their so-called 'plaything' because it's always a topical and 'sexy' subject?
“The GBR is a powerful tool for them as it is recognised around the world,” he said.
On the question of visitation dropping in this part of the world - primarily because of the false perception that like Townsville we (Port Douglas) were also under water - but it's not because of a dying Reef, he said this is not his perception.
“There is no slight drop but in some segments the numbers have dropped a lot. Port Douglas seems to be doing well but other areas are not and it has been going on for some time,” said Mr Byrne.
He agreed the Reef has survived thousands of years and will continue to do so. But why the continual battering of our supposed dying reef?
“Logic is lost here. The reef has survived thousands of years and will continue to do so. It regenerates after every event … cyclones, crown of thorns, bleaching etc.
“No one disputes climate change. It has been going on for millennia but the claims by many are clearly exaggerated and frankly wrong. These people are risking our very livelihoods,” he said.
Meanwhile, The Great Barrier Reef Legacy, an innovative leader in collaborative coral reef research expeditions, education, stewardship and multi-media engagement, said in a Twitter feed: “The Australian has pit tourism against the environment, when really this couldn’t be further from the truth. Very sad to see people using such a strong ‘us and them’ mentality when in fact we all want the same thing – a healthy reef.”
In a significant development, TTNQ has recognised there are challenges with its brand and with this in mind, are embarking on a two-year plan encompassing marketing campaigns and public relations which will be rolled out next year.
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