Educating Backpackers to Educating Backpackers to the Great Barrier Reefthe Great Barrier Reef

By Caroline GarveyBy Caroline GarveyBA (Hons) Travel and Tourism BA (Hons) Travel and Tourism

Management Management

Cairns, Australia- Study AreaCairns, Australia- Study Area

The Study Area- The Study Area- Cairns, Australia. Cairns, Australia.

IntroductionIntroduction

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.World.

5,000 visitors in 1948 to 1.9 million in 2005. 5,000 visitors in 1948 to 1.9 million in 2005. Majority of these visitors are backpackers Majority of these visitors are backpackers

(Tourism Australia 2005).(Tourism Australia 2005). GBRMPA (1984) have outlined the GBRMPA (1984) have outlined the

importance of education in their annual importance of education in their annual reports. reports.

Aim and ObjectivesAim and Objectives

Identify if actions need to be taken to Identify if actions need to be taken to educate backpackers visiting the Great educate backpackers visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Barrier Reef.

Are the current management strategies of Are the current management strategies of the GBRMPA sufficient in educating the the GBRMPA sufficient in educating the backpacker market?backpacker market?

Create an education model for the Create an education model for the backpacker marketbackpacker market

Future Recommendations. Future Recommendations.

Literature ReviewLiterature Review

‘‘The Caribbean Conservation The Caribbean Conservation Corporation and Sea Turtle Corporation and Sea Turtle Survival League’ and ‘Hands on Survival League’ and ‘Hands on Environmental Education for Environmental Education for Aloha, Hawaii’. Aloha, Hawaii’.

Ecotourism and Education. Ecotourism and Education. Importance of Interpretation.Importance of Interpretation.

Reef Teach education seminar in Cairns.Reef Teach education seminar in Cairns.

Methodology Methodology

Research ProcessResearch Process Grounded TheoryGrounded Theory Qualitative Research in January 2006 in Qualitative Research in January 2006 in

Australia.Australia. Mind Mapping (Hussey and Hussey 1997)- Mind Mapping (Hussey and Hussey 1997)-

education emerged as important topic.education emerged as important topic. Online forum was set up from October Online forum was set up from October

2006- April 2007.2006- April 2007.

Analysis of Results Analysis of Results

73.3% of backpackers are interested in receiving education when at 73.3% of backpackers are interested in receiving education when at the reef , the age , group 21-25 are most keen when it comes to the reef , the age , group 21-25 are most keen when it comes to education at the reef, Unlike the age group 26-30 with 40.0% of education at the reef, Unlike the age group 26-30 with 40.0% of respondents stating that they do not wish to be educated.respondents stating that they do not wish to be educated.

Interested 73%Not Interested

27%

Reasons for visiting Reasons for visiting the Great Barrier the Great Barrier

ReefReef. .

Reasons for visiting the reef.

Snorkel38.3%

Education5%

WHA15%

Tourist Route10%

Dive 31.7%

Importance of InterpretationImportance of Interpretation

Only 51.7% of backpacker’s received education onboard before accessing the reef, this shows that many operators are not complying with GBRMPA guidelines in providing onboard interpretation.

60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

Onboard briefingNo

0.0%

Yes

48.3%51.7%

Popularity of Reef Teach Popularity of Reef Teach

35.0%

65.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

%

Yes NoThose whom attended a Reef Teach

Conclusions Conclusions

Tourist’s needs are changing and are demanding Tourist’s needs are changing and are demanding an interactive experience.an interactive experience.

Findings were all related to the cost and Findings were all related to the cost and incentives available to the backpacker market.incentives available to the backpacker market.

Majority of backpackers are on a tight budget as Majority of backpackers are on a tight budget as discussed by Scheyvens 2002, and wish to avoid discussed by Scheyvens 2002, and wish to avoid the added cost of education onto their already the added cost of education onto their already costly dive tripcostly dive trip

Education Model Education Model

1.1. Permanent interpretation centrePermanent interpretation centre2.2. Promote in the Lonely Planet and Promote in the Lonely Planet and

Greyhound MagazineGreyhound Magazine3.3. IncentivesIncentives4.4. Ecotourism certificateEcotourism certificate5.5. Opportunity to act stage.Opportunity to act stage.6.6. Brief safety and education seminar on Brief safety and education seminar on

boardboard

PromotionPrice and Incentives

InterpretationCertificatesChange attitudes

Opportunity to act

Design of education

programme

Reef Trip

Sustainable Behaviour

New Education ModelNew Education Model

Future Research.Future Research.

Larger sample size Larger sample size Suitable methods and places to promote Suitable methods and places to promote

education. education. It is unknown exactly how much It is unknown exactly how much

backpackers are willing to pay and exactly backpackers are willing to pay and exactly what they expect to receive for this price. what they expect to receive for this price.

Any Questions?Any Questions?