Queensland’s tourism industry is facing the challenge of climate change head-on, says Tourism Minister Margaret Keech. She said the Beattie Government recognised the importance of understanding and responding to the impact of climate change on the State’s second-biggest export industry.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Queensland’s tourism industry is facing the challenge of climate change head-on, says Tourism Minister Margaret Keech.
She said the Beattie Government recognised the importance of understanding and responding to the impact of climate change on the State’s second-biggest export industry.
“Both the Government and industry are taking action on this issue, but we know there is much more that needs to be done,” Mrs Keech said.
“The Government has been reviewing research from Queensland Climate Change Centre to help provide a clear understanding of the future environmental challenges Queensland will face unless we move now.
“It’s clear the public wants to see more action on climate change across all industries.
“A new report released today by my ministerial colleague John Mickel shows that a staggering 90 per cent of Queenslanders surveyed rated climate change as a vital national issue.
“The Centre for Low Emission Technology's ( cLET ) study of 1800 people throughout the state is one of the most comprehensive reports into public perceptions of climate change to be undertaken in Australia.”
Mrs Keech said she fully supported a national summit examining how tourism as an industry could influence climate change factors.
“Queensland’s natural environment is one of our greatest tourism assets and makes us distinct from many other world tourism destinations,” she said.
“As a Government we have implemented key environmental and ecological tourism strategies under the $48 million Queensland Tourism Strategy ( QTS ) to help preserve our natural assets for the future.
“The impact of climate change was identified as a key issue for the tourism industry during the development of the QTS.
“The tourism industry will receive a series of regional climate change briefings as part of the climate change adaptation initiatives under the QTS.
“An online Best Practice Sustainable Tourism Package will also be developed to allow individual businesses to contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
“The response to climate change in the tourism industry is also being handled in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources and Water, the State Government’s lead agency on climate change, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.”
Mrs Keech said the Queensland Climate Change Centre had detailed the frightening consequences of failing to act on climate change.
“The Centre reports that if action is not taken we can expect greater weather extremes, increased rainfall resulting in flooding, erosion and landslides, more intense cyclones, storm surges and increased sea levels,” she said.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of many Queensland communities and any impact would be felt significantly right across the state’s $18 billion plus tourism industry.
“Public education and information is clearly essential to addressing climate change, and I believe a strong and united tourism industry can help lead the way.”
Media Contact: Jo Gibbons 3225 1005 or 0421 611 989
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