Page 26 - Tropic Magazine Issue 17

TROPIC • TOURISM

Hard sell

SPECIAL REPORT
As the Great Barrier Reef bounces back from bleaching, the struggle
to revive its image is proving to be another great challenge.
Words Renee Cluff Ochre is coming to
Cairns Airport.
The Great Barrier Reef became a poster believing tourism or believing one
child for climate change when back-to- scientist over another.”
back bleaching events occurred in 2016 For now, the organisation’s main method Foodies take flight
and 2017. Amid headlines screaming is showcasing almost 130 reef projects.
two-thirds of the Reef was covered in “We’re creating this world where you A stellar line-up of local
skeletal coral, people worldwide began to can find out what’s going on,” Mr Ridley and national food brands
write The Reef off. said. “Instagram and Facebook also play is arriving soon at Cairns
Whether or not scientists got the scale or a role and we have a partnership with Airport.
severity right, two years on, there’s Biopixel to create content that’s
no doubt the world’s largest living image-driven.” Some of the biggest names in the
structure is showing remarkable signs Stuart Ireland, from Calypso Reef Cairns food and beverage scene
of recovery. But the world doesn’t seem Imagery, also uses pictures and video are about to transform eating and
to know about it. as proof of The Reef’s resilience. The drinking options for travellers
Promoting positive stories is a focus marine biologist, photographer and at Cairns Airport’s domestic
of the Citizens of the Great Barrier videographer has started a vlog called terminal. Local favourites like
Reef, which received $1.3 million in Reef Today. Ochre, Rattle ‘N’ Hum, The Pier
Federal Government funding and “I’ve been doing it myself because it Bar, Industry One and Cafe China
works in conjunction with Tourism needs to be done,” he told Tropic. will join national brands like
Tropical North Queensland, the State “I am seeing some stories come out but Oporto and Roll’d in the
Government and other stakeholders. not enough and the campaign needs $55 million redeveloped T2
“One of the devastating things you hear to incorporate more people from the domestic terminal.
when you travel abroad is it’s dead or tourism industry because they’re the Cairns Airport Chief Commercial
dying,” said founder Andy Ridley. ones out on the water every day.” Officer Tracey Groves said the
“The great challenge is to get an “Promotion is underfunded by new outlets would feature a
accurate picture of the diversity Government and while it’s great there’s range of local produce and
and we’re working on how to answer plenty of money going into research and ingredients in a vibrant, modern
that question.” regeneration, a lot needs to be brought setting. “We’ve been working on
The organisation collates good news back to the image of the Great Barrier understanding the needs of our
stories, but balancing the agendas of Reef and tourism because it’s the main passengers and visitors and are
competing dive operators, scientists and show in Queensland.” confident this new line-up will
environmental groups is proving Last year, the Great Barrier Reef enhance the customer experience
a challenge. Foundation controversially received a in the domestic terminal,” she
“No-one knows who to trust, so how do $444 million grant from the said. “The terminal upgrade
you tell the world a very accurate, Federal Government. Its investment will create a fantastic sense of
real-time picture of what The Reef is strategy doesn’t include any reef place and offer our passengers
like?” he said. “There’s scepticism with tourism promotion. a wonderful dining and shopping
experience. The new look terminal
will allow passengers to extend
their tourism experience from
the moment they land to the time
they take off, creating enduring
memories of their experience
here. We hope they can take
a little piece of Tropical North
Queensland home with them.”
The new outlets will start opening
from November this year, with
all 13 restaurants and bars
expected to be operational by
December 2020.

Pic: Stuart Ireland MORE: cairnsaiport.com.au

26 • Tropic • Issue 17