About the GBR:
The Australian Great Barrier Reef is a site that is beautiful to its age. The GBR is more than 60,000 years old, and it is still a world travel destination. Over the past 230 years, the reef has become a home of shipwrecks. 1,200 ship vessels have been sunk on the reef, with only 114 being discovered. These include the HMS Pandora (1791), SS Gothenburg (1875), Foam (1893), SS Yongala (1911). In 1981, the GBR was declared a world heritage area, due to its ‘outstanding universal value’.
Impact of tourism:
Tourism is beneficial for the economy of Australia. Tourists are one of the key factors of why the reef has decreased in marine population. Due to increased pressure placed on shorelines, there has been an increase in pollution and boating activity, also causing oil spills and coral breakage. Some of the tourists unfortunately disobey the rules on the reef to gain a “better experience” due to their short time there. This contributes to the damage done to the reef with pollution and mistreat of the environment.
Economy:
Statistics show that approximately 2.19 million tourists per year visit the GBR. In 2017-2018, 2.6 million tourists travelled to the GBR. This is beneficial for Australia’s economy because tourism contributes $5.89 billion per year. This is used to fund the reef with all it requires, employment of 69,000 people on the reef and funding for numerous marine projects. The GBR is a major name for Australia, annually attracting millions of tourists from across the world.
Conclusion:
The tourists that visit Australia and the Great Barrier Reef are ppreciated because they provide Australia with a strong reputation of being a welcoming and open country. The GBR provides 69,000 Australians with work on the reef and tourism brings $5.89 billion per year which boosts the economy of Australia. Unfortunately, tourism is also damaging the reef with pollution, coral bleaching, and oil spills in the ocean.
References:
Cool water from the deep could protect pockets of the Great Barrier Reef into the 2080s – CSIRO
Tourism on the Great Barrier Reef | Reef Authority
Great Barrier Reef Timeline – GBR Biology