Reef braces for influx
Global visitors tipped to flood ocean park after Attenborough TV series
TOURISM operators are being warned to gear up for a big influx of travellers visiting the Great Barrier Reef on the back of Sir David Attenborough’s glowing praise of the coral aquatic park.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Alex de Waal said Sir David’s Great Barrier Reef documentary series to be shown next year would spark an exodus from throughout the globe to the region.
“Tropical North Queensland is an aspirational destination. This was really brought home to me when I was privileged to be standing in the same room as Sir David Attenborough listening to him talk about realising his dream of visiting the Great Barrier Reef,” he said.
“Sir David was speaking at the United Kingdom launch of his three-part series on the Great Barrier Reef when he delivered marketing gold to our region by saying North Queensland was his favourite place in the world after his home.
“He
described
his
fascination with the Great Barrier Reef as a boy and finally arriving in Cairns in 1957 to travel north to Raine Island.”
“North Queensland is a wonderful, wonderful place. It has got everything, it’s got mountains, it’s got tropical rainforest, it’s got the Barrier Reef, it’s got wonderful creatures that you can’t get anywhere else, it’s a great place,” Sir David said.
Mr de Waal said it was “an extraordinary benefit for our region to have someone with that level of expertise and experience making that statement as there wouldn’t be a corner of this planet that Sir David hasn’t been to.
“In the next 12 months people around the world will be inspired to realise their dream of visiting the Great Barrier Reef when they watch the extraordinary Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough series.”
Mr de Waal said he urged Reef operators “to take advantage of this unprecedented publicity” to be further enhanced by Tourism Australia’s new aquatic and coastal campaign next year.
Dive Queensland president Steve Moon said Reef operators were ready to welcome even more visitors.
He said there were new Reef fleet boats and there was the capacity to handle the growth.
“Without a doubt Sir David’s recognition (of the Reef) will boost visitation,” he said.
Passions of Paradise chief executive Scotty Garden said his company was expecting an increase in demand for trips following the Sir David Attenborough series.
“There will be plenty of travellers wanting to see it, but what will be even more rewarding will be the people who want to learn about this World Heritage area because they now understand its ecological value,” he said.