Tourism - Philosophy Of Tourism And Hospitality - Assessment Answer

Tourism Assignment

Assignment Task

Introduction

The Great Barrier Reef comprises of the world’s largest reef system with a total of more than 2,900 individual reefs (Auge et al, 2013). Total area covered by the reef spans over 2,600 kilometers and the reef can be seen from outer space. The reef plays host to a variety of species including thirty different variety of whales, porpoises and dolphins (Jamal et al, 2015). Owing to its rich water life and a breathtaking display of colourful corals, it is one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world. In accordance to statistics, approximately 5-6 billion tourists visit Australia every year from around the world with a planned visit to the Great Barrier Reef being an integral part of their itinerary (Authority, 2014). In advent of recent changes in climatic conditions, the Great Barrier Reef has been experiencing severe coral bleaching. This phenomenon is likely to continue in the future with increased detrimental effects on the coral reefs. While this is a severe threat to natural habitat in its own, this could mean great tourism losses as well (Zeppel, 2012). With the interest of tourism department in mind and its heavy dependence on health of the Great Barrier Reef, this literature review would examine the actual impact of deteriorating coral reefs on tourism of Australia. The review would also draw from recommendations made in literature so as to save or revive the coral reefs.

Literature Review

Expanding on the phenomenon of coral bleaching, literature indicates that coral polyps are translucent in nature. These polyps receive colour from algae (for example dinoflagellates) which live on these polyps while forming a symbiotic relationship (Auge et al, 2013). The process of photosynthesis is used by algae so as to generate energy from metabolic waste, phosphorous and nitrogen gathered from the coral (Authority, 2014). During this process, oxygen and other released organic products help the corals to grow and flourish. However, owing to added environmental stressors such as constantly increasing temperature of the reef, corals expel algae (Day & Dobbs, 2013). This loss of algae results in coral bleaching thereby making them susceptible to diseases. In case where corals fail to regain algae and establish a healthy relationship with them, they eventually die (Coghlan, 2012).

Several studies have examined and elaborated on the impact of coral bleaching on tourism in Australia. An Australian National Survey indicated that among tourists who visit the Great Barrier Reef every year, highest number of tourists were from the US, UK and China (Jamal et al, 2015). The study also reported individual surveys that had been taken in these three individual countries. These surveys suggested that more than 50% Chinese tourists, about one-third UK tourists and approximately 60% US tourists suggested that they would consider visiting other tourist destinations instead of Australia if the Great Barrier Reef continued facing bleaching (De’ath et al, 2012). Further, among tourists who indicated that they would still visit Australia, 63% Chinese, 37% UK and 42% US tourists suggested that they would plan their travel around other tourist attractions instead of the Great Barrier Reef (Authority, 2014). Converting this loss of tourism in terms of financial losses by the tourism industry, it was estimated that the industry would lose up to AUD 1 billion every year thereby rendering a major blow to income of the Australian tourism industry (Coghlan, 2012).

Another study noted that in addition to Chinese, UK and US tourists, the Reef is popularly visited by tourists from France. Coral Reefs are among the top three attractions for French tourists and Australian travel agencies annually bring up to 8,000 travelers from France (Authority, 2014). These tourists in recent years have commented that the condition of the Great Barrier Reef has been deteriorating and this concerns them (Graham et al, 2014). Some of these tourists even thought that increasing tourism and human activity around the Reef area is playing a significant role in deteriorating reef health (Brodie & waterhouse, 2012). Some of these visitors as a result are of the opinion that decreased tourism would actually serve to help recover the Great Barrier Reef. This mindset might add to already estimated AUD 1 billion financial losses by the Australian tourism industry (Zeppel, 2012).

In addition to income earned from travel and stay of tourists visiting the Great Barrier Reef, the tourism industry and economy of Australia might also suffer in terms of increased unemployment rate (Authority, 2014). In accordance with a study pertaining to tourism related employment in Australia, the industry is responsible for creation of 130,900 jobs in Queensland alone. Out of these, approximately 39,000 are directly linked with the Great Barrier Reef (Brodie & Waterhouse, 2012). In this context, continuously deteriorating health of the reef and loss of tourism might result in layoffs and an increased rate of unemployment. Studies further indicate that individuals employed in jobs directly related to the barrier reef are specialists in what they do (Evans et al, 2013). However, their skills and knowledge are limited beyond the scope of their jobs (De’ath et al, 2012). Therefore, under circumstances that they face loss of employment owing to decreasing tourism, they would find it extremely difficult to find a new source of employment and venture into a new field (Day & Dobbs, 2013). A significant amount of families (especially along the Northern coastline) also have the Great Barrier Reef and visiting tourists as their only source of income as they are local service providers in the area (Graham et al, 2014). These families might also find it difficult to sustain their businesses owing to falling rates of tourism (Coghlan, 2012). Finally, fresh graduates in tourism and hospitality management might also find it difficult to obtain jobs thereby further pushing the rate of unemployment and frustration among Australian youth. With reference to these concerns, studies indicate the importance of preserving the Great Barrier Reef and making attempts so as to restore its health.

Literature further suggests that falling rates of tourism might also impact the education industry in Australia. In addition to being the largest coral ecosystem in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is also among the top tourist attractions in Australia (Authority, 2014). The reef provides several creative job opportunities for enthusiasts and encourages hundreds of students to take up tourism as their major every year. With loss of tourism and decreased opportunities in the reef area, students might be deferred from entering the tourism industry (Day & Dobbs, 2013). Such students would then flood other streams which they would not have chosen otherwise. This might also push up the rate of unemployment in other streams and might result in burnout of students who would not be able to pursue their career choices owing to lack of employment in the field (Jamal et al, 2015).

Literature pertaining to the deteriorating health of Great Barrier Reef has linked increased local and international human activity with further coral depletion. Few attempts however have been made so as to highlight education efforts undertaken by the Australian tourism industry (Brodie & Waterhouse, 2012). The tourism industry had recently taken up efforts to merge water sports and educational sessions. Tourists interested in activities such as snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef were educated regarding preservation of natural resources and marine life. The sessions according to both trainers as well as the tourists were greatly useful in imparting knowledge regarding balance of ecosystems (Auge et al, 2013). Such educational sessions have also lost their importance owing to dropping rates of tourism along the reef. Educators (especially those who operate along the northern coastline) are unable to find many areas where corals are alive and are scared to increase human activity further (Day & Dobbs, 2013). Tourists on the other hand are also trying to minimise their interference by staying away from the surviving coral reefs (Zeppel, 2012).

In context of preservation efforts, many efforts, suggestions and initiatives have been listed out in literature. One such suggestion includes removing corals from the area and replacing them with clean energy (Coghlan, 2012). A survey of individuals providing this suggestion suggested that this is a necessary step so as to protect the Great Barrier Reef. Expanding on the suggestion further, it has been suggested that the reef is an important tourist attraction and has a much greater potential of creating jobs and therefore needs to be protected at any cost (De’ath et al, 2012).

Another initiative mentions engaging tourists to extract seaweed from the depths of the Great Barrier Reef. As a continuation to the educational initiative, tourists are also engaged in extracting seaweed (Auge et al, 2013). Effects of this initiative are currently being observed and investigated. A full scale project is expected to be launched in case this initiative is successful in making a positive difference in the health of the Great Barrier Reef (Day & Dobbs, 2013).

Conclusion

In summary, it might be concluded that the health of the Great Barrier Reef is constantly deteriorating owing to increased sea temperature and human activity. This deterioration is expected to cause an estimated loss of AUD 1 billion to the tourism industry of Australia. Loss might also be felt in terms of loss of tourism related jobs and inability of students to pursue tourism related higher education. It is therefore necessary to take preservation measures and protect (or even restore) the health of the Great Barrier Reef.