Educational Tourism in the Great Barrier Reef

This article discusses the potential of educational tourism in the Great Barrier Reef area, including a PESTEL analysis of the industry in Australia. The article emphasizes the need for environmental protection and involvement of local communities in the tourism industry.

Running head: EDUCATIONAL TOURISM IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
EDUCATIONAL TOURISM IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

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EDUCATIONAL TOURISM IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Introductory summary
The Great Barrier Reef is stretched across a vast area of 2, 300 km and considered as
one of most important sites of conservation and has been subsumed under the UNESCO
World Heritage (Coughlan 2012). The rich diversity of flora and fauna has made the Great
Barrier Reef world. The WhitSunday islands comprises of an archipelago of islands situated
in Queensland, Australia (Great Barrier Reef 2018). I would like to establish an educational
tourism business that would create awareness about the rich flora and fauna of the Great
Barrier life. For this purpose, I would want the Courier mail to promote the business.
Educational tourism is one of the most emerging fields. The months of May and June
are the end of academic year and the beginning of the tourism season. Therefore, a waning in
the academic year leads to the waxing of opportunities in the educational tourism industry
(Tourismandmore.com. 2018). Educational tourism is known by the names of career
enhancement or experiences that lead to self-actualization (Robertson 2017). The coral reef is
known for its different species of marine animals, birds and fish. It consists of the one-third
of the molluscus, endangered species of turtles, echidnas, corals, starfish and crustaceans.
Around 80 per cent of the tourism activity takes places within the 7 per cent of the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park (Coghlan 2012). The Park has been popular with scientists, marine
biologists and students who are interested to explore and investigate about the wildlife and
conservation of the Great Barrier Reef (Economics 2013). It has also been popular with the
environmentalists who are keen on the conservation of the coral reef. The local people can be
involved as trainers as parts of the educational trips. Owing to their knowledge about the
various facets about the region, they will have a competitive advantage as compared to non-
local trainers. Since, the rate of unemployment is quite high in the region, it will provide with
the means of livelihood

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EDUCATIONAL TOURISM IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
PESTEL Analysis of educational tourism in Australia
Australia has favourable political environment and therefore, it would be a wise
decision to embark on the venture of educational tourism. Australia is known for its fair, just
and transparent legal mechanism. Couglan (2012) is of the opinion that the country has great
prospect to flourish in the sector of educational tourism. The government needs to be more
proactive in realizing the potential of the industry and vigorously promote it. In the Great
Barrier Reef area, tourism accounts for 4 billion AUD on a yearly basis (Australia.com.
2018). Keeping in mind the high rate of unemployment in the area, the business of
educational tourism would provide a sustainable means of livelihood to the local community.
They would be able to utilize their insider knowledge and facilitate a mutual learning
experience with the tourists. In the age of digital media, I would make generous use of
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and also have an official website. There will be the logo of a
starfish that would lead to easy identification of the brand. The environmental factor posits a
major threat to the prospect of the business. The gradual destruction of the coral reef may
lead to the aversion of the tourists. To ensure that the business thrives, we have to create
awareness about it in the schools, colleges, seminars and educational trade fairs. The
educational tourism aims to provide a wholesome experience by allowing the tourists to
engage with the local community. We are planning to include snorkelling and adventure
sports to generate excitement among the students.
Conclusion
Educational tourism is dependent on students, early career scholars, academicians and
scientists. Therefore, the government of Australia needs to create awareness so that the
sustainability of the business can be ensured. An assessment of the threats, weakness and

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EDUCATIONAL TOURISM IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
PESTEL analysis reveals that the need of the hour is to involve environmentalists on board to
protect the coral reef and weave the success story of the educational tourism venture.

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EDUCATIONAL TOURISM IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Reference
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Authority, G.B.R.M.P., 2014. Great barrier reef outlook report 2014.
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Townsley, P. and Pollnac, R.B., 2014. Socioeconomic manual for coral reef management.
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Economics, D.A., 2013. Economic contribution of the Great Barrier Reef.
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report-on-the-great-barrier-reef-that-australia-didnt-want-the-world-to-see [Accessed 2018].
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