Research shows Great Barrier Reef visitors understand climate threat

June 26, 2019

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) says that research into the changing perceptions of tourists about the health of the Great Barrier Reef shows how the threat of climate change is becoming inescapable to visitors.

The research - Shifts in tourists’ sentiments and climate risk perceptions following mass coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef - has been published this week in the journal Nature Climate Change.

The research led by CSIRO surveyed a total of 4,681 local and international tourists, with one group surveyed in 2013 and then a second group surveyed in 2017 after a major bleaching event that received international media coverage.

The tourists were asked about their perceptions of our Reef, how they related to it and also what they felt about its future and their ability to help conserve it.

David Cazzulino, AMCS Great Barrier Reef campaigner, advised “we want tourists to know that our beautiful Great Barrier Reef is a unique place to visit - unlike anywhere else on the planet. But we also want people to know that it has challenges, the biggest of which is climate change.

“The research found that in 2013, just 40% of visitors thought climate change was the biggest threat to our Reef, but in 2017 this had jumped to 51%.

“Government scientists have been saying since at least 2009 that climate change is the Reef’s biggest threat, so it’s encouraging that visitors are coming away from Queensland with a better understanding of the challenges our Reef faces.

“Queensland and Australia are custodians of the world’s greatest coral reef system, we have to lead by example and show there’s a bright future for everybody that’s beyond coal.

"Tackling the root cause of the climate crisis and investing in renewable energy will give our Reef the best chance for the future, protect 64,000 existing tourism jobs and create thousands of jobs in clean industries.”

Image: Coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.

25th June 2019 - Underwater hotel planned for Great Barrier Reef

11th May 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society compares parties’ election policies on reefs and oceans

23rd April 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomes Labor promise to reclaim Great Barrier Reef funding

17th April 2019 - Great Barrier Reef Tourism Operators call for Urgent Action from Australia’s politicians

17th March 2019 - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Chief Executive appointment receives mixed reaction

17th February 2019 - The Australian Marine Conservation Society calls for reallocation of $443 million funding

8th June 2018 - Coral bleaching leads to fall in domestic tourism to Great Barrier Reef

18th April 2018 - Massive extinction of Great Barrier Reef coral during 2016 marine heatwave

29th January 2018 - Far North Queensland tourism operators back Great Barrier Reef plastic straws ban

22nd January 2018 - Federal Government to fund $60 million Great Barrier Reef rescue package

21st June 2017 - World Heritage Committee report confirms global action required to save reefs

8th October 2016 - Visits to the Great Barrier Reef an example of ‘last chance tourism’

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.