| The Great Barrier Reef is
the world's largest coral reef system. The reef is the largest natural
feature on earth stretching more than 2,300 kilometers off the coast
of Queensland
in northeast Australia.
NATURAL PATRIMONY
UNESCO
selected the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Site in 1981.A
large part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park, administered by the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
ACCESS
In Cairns,
Townsville and Proserpine, travelers can make day visits to offshore
reef destinations. There are also aircraft and helicopter overflights.
TIPS
Boat trips, particularly liveaboards, may be up to 40 percent cheaper
if booked at the last possible moment on standby rates.
TOURISM INDUSTRY
Tourism is the largest commercial activity in the Great Barrier
Reef, generating more than $5 billion per year. The marine tourism
industry is a major contributor to the local and Australian economy.
In 2005 there are approximately 820 permitted tourism operators
and 1500 vessels and aircraft permitted to operate in the Park.
Tourism attracts approximately 1.8 million visitors each year.
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