Changing patterns of regional tourism: implications for tourism on the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

Understanding the factors that contribute to changing patterns of tourist flows and activity participation is important for the sustainable management of tourism within destination regions. This paper reports on a study of changing patterns of use of commercial reef tour operations in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) region of Australia. Secondary analyses of three data sets were used to examine changes in the regional distribution of reef visitation, in visitor characteristics, and in travel flows to the region. The results indicated that increases in repeat visitation, changes in market characteristics and changes in the use of access points into the region appeared to contribute to changes in participation in reef tour activities. Implications for understanding and managing tourism to the GBR are discussed.