North Queensland Tourism Fact Sheets

An estimated 500,000 divers a year find, photograph and swim with sharks, contributing millions of dollars to local and regional economies around the world. 

On the Great Barrier Reef, MTSRF-funded researchers from James Cook University have estimated the average live-aboard dive passenger spent at least $5,000 while in the Cairns/Port Douglas area, with many attracted to the region by the opportunity to view sharks in the wild.

Download:  Value of Sharks Fact Sheet

Visitors' Interest in Walking Trails and Self-Drive Trips

James Cook University researchers surveyed 1,400 domestic and international visitors between January and December 2007 at a number of key rainforest visitor sites within the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (WTQWHA).

This fact sheet explores visitors' level of interest in various rainforest walking and hiking activities as well as self-drives along rainforest roads in the WTQWHA during their stay.

Download:  Visitor Interest Fact Sheet

North Queensland Community Survey 2007

A community survey carried out in the North Queensland region in 2007 provides detailed knowledge of the community's use and perceptions of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (WTQWHA).

Data from a similar survey undertaken in 2002, combined with the results of the 2007 survey, has provided the Wet Tropics Management Authority with an understanding of changes in community attitude that may have occurred over the five-year period.

This fact sheet highlights the community's knowledge of and support for the WTQWHA, its opinions about the advantages and disadvantages to living adjacent to a World Heritage Area, and opinions regarding the protection, management and use of the Area.

Download:  Community Survey Fact Sheet

Trends in Reef Tourism

Marine tourism is one of the most valuable industries operating within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. MTSRF funded researchers from James Cook University are conducting a series of visitor surveys to monitor changes and trends in reef tourism in the region. They have a number of years' worth of data and are able to examine changes over both the long and short term.

How Weather Influences Reef Experiences

Weather has a huge impact on outdoor  tourism operations, particularly those operating inmarine environments. MTSRF funded researchers from James Cook University are conducting a series of visitor surveys to monitor changes and trends in reef tourism in the region.

Download:  Reef Weather Fact Sheet

Bleaching Alert for the Northern Great Barrier Reef

Download:  Coral Bleaching Fact Sheet