Natural Environment Blog

The Great Barrier Reef is benefiting from a strong US dollar and weak Australian dollar. Photo: Copyright (C) 2004 Richard Ling (rling.com)

The Great Barrier Reef tourism appears to be benefiting from a strong US dollar and weak Australian dollar.

Amidst the global financial turmoil, the U.S. dollar has continued to strengthen while other currencies have struggled to keep up. The Australian dollar has taken a huge hit, and recently plunged to its lowest in 5 years.

While this is not normally something for Aussies to celebrate, it has made Australia a more attractive place for overseas visitors. In particular, $1 USD will currently buy you around $1.50 AUD. In other words, if you’re American, your dollar goes 50 percent further in Australia. If you’re Canadian you’ll gain around 25 percent.

“No Barrier to the Great Barrier Reef”

A recent campaign - “No Barrier to the Great Barrier Reef” - has brought in over $1 million dollars in bookings and quotes in the six weeks since it launched, and it’s likely that the low Aussie dollar has given the campaign an extra boost. 

The campaign included an email to 260,000 North American frequent flyers, inviting them to visit Queensland - the home of the Great Barrier Reef.

The email offers packages such as:

• Eight days to the Whitsundays from $US1999 including return airfares from the US, accommodation, transfers, some meals and activit ies
• A Great Barrier Reef Air Pass from $US1199 which includes return airfares from the US and three domestic Australian flights including Cairns
• A $US599 Aussie Wildlife package which includes two nights in Brisbane, two nights on Fraser Island, entry to Australia Zoo and transfers 

Tough Times for Australian Tourism

The campaign follows a particularly destressing time for the Australain tourism industry - particularly in the Far North.   

“Destinations such as Tropical North Queensland have been hard hit by a combination of flight cuts, high fuel costs and a downturn in the global economy so our aim is to hit our key international markets with a range of value-for-money package deals that are too good to refuse” said Queensland tourism Minister Desley Boyle.

“Tourism Queensland invested $200,000 of the $4 million assistance package funding into five US campaigns, but thanks to buy-in from travel partners in North America, we have been able to increase the campaign spend to $1.9 million,” she continued.

Great Barrier Reef a “Must See”

Ms Boyle stressed the importance of visiting the Great Barrier Reef while holidaying in Australia.

“The Great Barrier Reef is one of American travellers’ must-see Australian destinations and because these special packages are only available for a short period of time, our aim is to turn their ‘one day’ dream into ‘let’s book today’ reality,” she said.

About the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and the largest natural feature on Earth. It is under threat from climate change and water pollution, and unless urgent measures are put in place to prevent this, it could die out within three decades.

What is the Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance is a member based organization dedicated to helping people, wildlife, and the natural environment.

Based in New York City, the Rainforest Alliance has offices throughout the United States and the world. The Rainforest Alliance works with people who depend on the land for their livelihood. It aims to help them become more sustainable in the way they work the land. In particular, the alliance helps these people grow food, harvest wood and host travelers.

The Rainforest Alliance has programs in many environmental areas such as forestry, agriculture, and tourism. It also offers third party certification and verification for forestry companies who opt for sustainable forestry.

Rainforest Alliance’s Approach

The Rainforest Alliance believes that it is possible to create a sustainable society. A society that protects the planet and provides sustainable livelihoods for its people.

To achieve this, it aims to transform the current destructive market system into one that values sustainable production, sourcing, consumption and equitable trade.

The Rainforest Alliance believes that the sustainable management of all businesses requires the following:

• Clean air and water
• Healthy biodiversity and wildlife habitat
• Reduction of waste and toxicity
• Reduction and mitigation of global warming
• Dignified and safe living and working conditions, with adequate food, education and health care for workers and their families
• Equal opportunity for all

Furthermore, it believes that the following is required in order to achieve a sustainable market:

• Sustainable sourcing, supply chain management and public accountability are standard practice
• Products carry prices that reflect their real environmental, economic and social value
• Sustainable producers, small and community-based businesses have equitable market access
• People demand and have access to high-quality, sustainable and healthy products and choices
• Financial and insurance sectors support sustainable operations and penalize unsustainable ones
• Governments support sustainability through procurement, incentives, and regulations
• Civil society sources sustainably

To learn more about the Rainforest Alliance, check out the official website.

The New Zealand government has announced that they will dedicate $13 million to upgrade flood protection Milford Sound in New Zealand.

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist spots. Flood protection seems like a good idea - Milford Sound receives over 8 meters of rain per year.

Given the fact that there is only one (narrow) road into the place, and one small airstrip, the impact of a flood on tourism could be huge. The $13 million isn’t a large amount given the area generates around $230 million per year from tourism.

But I like to think it’s more than protecting tourism dollars. Because of the natural beauty of Milford Sound, tourists to the area tend to become interested in the natural environment and the importance of looking after it.

New Zealand’s Tourism Minister, Damien Miller, says about the flood protection:

This means that we can continue to provide the best possible facilities to visitors, while also protecting the natural beauty of the sound.

Is it Really the Wettest Place?

At 8 meters of rain per year, Milford Sound is the wettest place in New Zealand. It is also one of the wettest places on earth.