Enter lottery for right to visit ecotourism destination?
British think-tank The Center for Future Studies (CFS) has suggested future ecotourists should enter a lottery to win the right to visit some of the world's ecotourism destinations, in addition to declaring some of the more popular destinations off-limits.
The study, financed by a British insurance company, has infuriated the tourism industry, especially the Australian government and scientists who are at the heart of the report.
"There is a conflict between environmental concerns and commercial interests," said CFS director Frank Shaw. "In pursuit of economic goals, other problems are being overlooked."
Pointing out Australia is not looking after the Great Barrier Reef in the long term he claims rising sea water, or global warming, are already damaging the Reef.
About 1.8 million people visit the Reef every year, generating some A$5 billion in income and employing 800 companies in the tourism business.
But, expert Terry Hughes from the James Cook University in Townsville, the biggest coral reef institute in the world said, the Reef is a big place with little effect from tourism industry activities.
Local experts added, the ecosystem which comprises the world's largest living organism is in good shape.
"Tourism operators constantly monitor changes on the Reef in collaboration with groups such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority," said Danile Gschwind, chief executive of Queensland Tourism Industry Council.
Fran Bailey, Australian tourism minister said, Australian tourism operators are the biggest defenders of the Reef's pristine environment. "They rely on the health of the Reef and is intimately involved in protecting its environment."
Added Professor Hughes, rising sea levels are unlikely to impact the Reef. "I don't believe there is a conflict between environmental concerns and commercial interests.
It's already underwater, and a few more centimeters over the next few decades is not going to have an impact on the Reef."
Other destinations which should be protected, according to the CFS report, include the entire Greek capital of Athens, Italy's Amalfi and Croatia’s Dalmatian coast in Europe, and the Florida Everglades in the US is also on the list.
In Asia, Nepal's Kathmandu and Taj coral reed in the Maldives should limit their tourism activities.
Commented a German tourist, interviewed while on a trip to the Reef, one of the best ways to appreciate and work towards protecting an eco-destination is to visit it. "If visitors can't visit it, what will prompt them to fight for its protection?" she asked.
Source: Yusof Sulaiman l eTN Asia/Pacific