Conference paper
Sink It: But Will They Continue to Come?: Future of Artificial Dive Tourism in Australia
2010 Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education Conference, pp.1-14
Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference: Tourism and Hospitality: Challenge the Limits, 2010 (Hobart, Australia, 08-Feb-2010–11-Feb-2010)
Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education
2010
Abstract
The impetus for scuttling vessels to create artificial reefs has been to enhance dive tourism and boost regional economies. However, data collected to measure the economic value of these artificial reefs in Australia is limited or internationally focussed. One such reef, the ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park, located nine nautical miles off the Queensland coast, celebrated its fourth anniversary in July 2009. Australia's desire for artificial reefs continues with the ex-HMAS Canberra recently sunk (October 2009) off Victoria and the race is on to secure HMAS Tobruk, due for decommissioning in 2012. This paper reports a study of the economic value of the ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park. Revenue generated by the Park via dive tourism is estimated at over AU$4.5million per year, indicating the Conservation Park has made a positive contribution to the host community. Combined figures suggest the ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park has provided a positive return on investment to date. However, over-time figures reveal diver numbers, and associated revenue, are decreasing, raising questions about the long term effectiveness of scuttling ships for dive tourism.
Details
- Title
- Sink It: But Will They Continue to Come?: Future of Artificial Dive Tourism in Australia
- Authors
- Vikki Schaffer (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of BusinessMeredith A Lawley (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Business
- Contributors
- S Crispin (Editor)A Dunn (Editor)S Fishwick (Editor)A Franklin (Editor)D Hanson (Editor)D Reiser (Editor)R Shipway (Editor)M Wells (Editor)C Baxter (Editor)
- Publication details
- 2010 Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education Conference, pp.1-14
- Conference details
- Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference: Tourism and Hospitality: Challenge the Limits, 2010 (Hobart, Australia, 08-Feb-2010–11-Feb-2010)
- Publisher
- Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education
- Date published
- 2010
- ISBN
- 9781862955608
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2010 Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education, CAUTHE Inc. Reproduced here in accordance with the publishers copyright policy.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; USC Business School - Legacy; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449641502621
- Output Type
- Conference paper