RRRC in the Tourism Industry

RRRC assists the Far North Queensland Tourism Industry by delivering the latest research outcomes information in a useable form. It specializes in bringing together researchers and stakeholders ensuring that research projects have relevance for tourism operators. RRRC delivers vital research information to end-users in a timely and meaningful form. Decision makers are able to determine best practices and future business direction as a result of up to date information and predicted trends.

RRRC is well positioned to synthesize and interpret researchers’ outcomes and recommendations thereby providing the Tourism Industry with an increased understanding of environmental issues effecting business operations.

RRRC’s support of Marine Tourism has included the provision of information in the following areas:

• Early warning and assessment system for thermal stress on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR)
• How climatic change impacts the health of the GBR
• Informing land management agencies by improving inshore water quality to help reduce the severity of coral bleaching impacts
• Economic impact upon regional communities due to predicted changes in reef condition
• Monitoring the effects on commercially exploited species (eg coral trout)
• Monitoring the effects of rezoning the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
• Monitoring of green turtle population
• Monitoring of Minke Whales
• Value of sharks to the marine tourism industry
• Assisting the fishing industry in use of pingers to gillnets to deter dolphins
• Assistance to the fishing industry to install devices that detect dolphin sounds so that fishing methods can change in the presence of dolphins
• Management of dangerous jellyfish such as Irukandji and Box Jellyfish

RRRC’s support of Rainforest Tourism has included the provision of information in the following areas:

• Climate change, cyclone impact management and mapping
• Indigenous cultural heritage
• Effects on rainforest animals from climate change
• Identification of refuges so that rainforest fauna can be protected & the crucial habitat can remain connected
• Identification of species more prone to extinction with a changing climate – many of which are key species for rainforest tourism
• Assistance to the Bama & Murri people of the Wet Tropics to record their own histories & cultural environment heritage
• Cassowary numbers, genetic variability, range of individuals so they can be protected & managed into the future
• Tourism analyses - Rainforest tourism visitor behaviors
• Impacts of climate change on freshwater ecosystems
• Improving the effectiveness of rainforest re-vegetation

RRRC was instrumental in the production of the Wet Tropics Of Queensland World Heritage Area Tour Guide Handbook used to train tour guides. The booklet gives tour guides the ability to provide information about rainforest flora and fauna and geographical information to visitors to the region.