Australia has today announced plans to stop tourists climbing Uluru. The monolith that was previously known as Ayers Rock attracts some 350,000 visitors every year, large proportions who are overseas visitors: up to 100,000 climb the rock each year.
National Parks officials quoted cultural, environmental and safety reasons for the proposal. There have been some thirty deaths among tourists making the climb which has been reluctantly agreed to by Aboriginal elders. The proposal is part of a ten year draft management plan for Uluru-Kata National Park.
Peter Cochrane, the Director of National Parks said “The Uluru climb continues to be a contentious issue with the traditional owners and many park visitors.”
Australian Tourism Export Council managing director Matt Hingerty added the wishes of traditional owners should be paramount. “This proposed plan is a realistic one” he said. “It respects the wishes of traditional owners, it recognises the value that tourism brings to the area and ultimately it will provide equal, if not better experiences for tourists.”
Research undertaken on behalf of Parks Australia over three years showed 98% of visitors would still come to the park if the climb were permanently shut according to The Australian.
The move is being opposed by the Northern Territory Labor government and the federal opposition. Greg Hunt opposition environment spokesman said “Under the Garrett plan, visitors from around Australia and the world would be stopped from completing the majestic and exhilarating journey”
Territory Tourism Minister Chris Burns said the number of visitors to the Park had fallen in recent years and closing the climb would not help its recovery.
Vince Forester indigenous community spokesman said Aborigines had wanted the climb banned since the rock was handed back to its original owners in 1985 adding to ABC “You can’t go climb on top of the Vatican, you can’t go climb the Buddhist temples.”
Park Australia expects it to be two years before the proposal can be finalised during which time people will keep on climbing.
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