HAT202: Exploring Tourism and Hospitality in Great Barrier Reef

This report examines the business of tourism and hospitality in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), focusing on the Whitsunday Islands as a major tourist attraction. It highlights the economic significance of the marine tourism industry, which contributes billions to the Australian economy and provides numerous jobs. The report discusses the GBR's role as a global destination and the tourism sector's efforts to address climate change and ensure sustainability. It analyzes the impacts of tourism, including social and environmental effects such as water quality degradation and wildlife population changes. Technological advancements and factors influencing customer satisfaction are also considered. The report addresses challenges related to sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and the need for innovative solutions. Finally, it explores the influence of transport technology on the tourism sector and the importance of proper legislation and waste management.

Running head: THE BUSINESS OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
The Business of Tourism and Hospitality
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1THE BUSINESS OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
OPERATING IN GREAT BARRIER REEF
Byline
Whitsundays Islands are the chief reason in the Great Barrier Reef why the tourists
from all over the world get attracted to. The Great Barrier Reef stands as a shielding envelop
over these islands and saves them from the oceanic covers. The Whitsundays Islands are one
of the most soothing and the most relaxing cruising waters. It is a very safe luxury holiday
destination place for the tourists all over the world. Situated in just the centre of the Great
Barrier Reef, The Whitsunday Islands is an essential amazing Australian travel experience.
Made up of 2900 reefs, it is the world’s largest coral reef system and the greatest marine park
in the world.
The marine Tourism industry is the primary partner of the protection and the
management of the Great Barrier Reef. The tourism sector of the Great Barrier Reef is one of
the major industries which contributes to almost $5.4 billion to the Australian economy,
providing employment to a huge number of people. The high standards of the tourism
industry here successfully raised the reputation of the destination as being the most pristine
coral reef of the planet. Being a global destination, the tourism operators take legal actions to
tackle the climate change so that the Great Barrier Reef stands as the best reef in the future.A
sustainable industry is ensured by the marine tourism of the reef which also helps to maintain
the diversity, the integrity and the productivity of the region. The Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park (GBRMP) invites almost 1.7 million touristsin the region every year. This helps in a
generation of a great level income, which eventually has a rapid development in the tourism
infrastructure in the concerned area. Geographically the Tourism sector in Great Barrier Reef
is concentrated in the Cairns and the Whitsundays Areas which approximately cover about 7
percent of the Marine Park. There is generation of the direct and indirect employment by this

2THE BUSINESS OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
tourism industry. The hotels and the restaurant in the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays
Islands have the opportunity of earn directly and also involves direct employment because the
employees there are in direct contact with the tourists and provide the tourist experience.
Increased population pressures on the services such as sewage, transport, electricity as
well as the construction of tourism development effects the water quality of the region. These
are involved in the social impacts that the tourism sector has over the Great Barrier Reef.
There had been immense destruction on the Reef, which included drilling and mining the vast
swathes of the reef, which was supported by the government and the industry. The Legal
decisions on the part of the Australian government have affected The tourism activities like
focus on the motorized and the non-motorized vessels and the marine activities, the boat
induced damage such as the ship groundings and the anchoring have cumulative impacts on
the coral reef. Even the impact of tourism and the recreation activities have a serious impact
on the wildlife populations which creates the difference in the species. Along with the other
factors that have an impact over the tourism sector of the Great Barrier Reef is the
technological changes. There have been various medical advances along with the innovative
space tourism. Improved communication, transport and safety invite greater number of
customers in this industry.
The factors influencing the success of the tourism sector and the ability to meet the need of
the customers are the proper plan of action. The development and the authenticity of the
marketing and the promotion of the tourism image. Primarily the factors that have a positive
impact upon the tourism sector are proper environmental factors, the socio-economic factors
which involve the accessiblity, accommodation and other ancillary services. Religious, and
cultural factors also help in the improvement of the tourism industry that help the customers
to meet their need and satisfaction.

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The tourism and the industry sector faces a number of challenges related to the
sustainability. Like any other business the corporate social responsibility of the tourism sector
also is a major factor. The challenges that need to be resolved through the greening of the
industry are the energy and the Greenhouse Gas emissions, the effective water management
and the water consumption. The tourism industry mist find innovative solutions in order to
remain competitive in the market.
The economy of the country as well as the business of Australian and the tourism
sector can be effected to a great extent by the Tourism sector of the Great Barrier Reef, with
the advancement in the transport technology in the inaccessible regions of the reef and the
islands. Proper distribution and the management of the mass tourism is likely if there is
proper legislation and monitoring of the waste water discharges and the treatment of sewage
effluent that is released in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

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