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