❓ Hon. Sophie McNeill asks about the impact of coral bleaching on tourism operators on WA's Coral Coast. The Minister responds with information from Regional Tourism Organisations, indicating no reported downturn in business.
AnsweredQoN 563Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Coral Coast—Coral bleaching563.Hon Sophie McNeillto theminister representing
the Minister for Tourism:I refer to the
reported record-breaking marine heatwave that has resulted in significant coral
bleaching and mass death along WA's Coral Coast.(1) Can the minister confirm how many tourism
operators run tours to reefs impacted by the marine heatwave, coral bleaching
and coral death?(2) Approximately how many staff do the operators
in question (1) employ?(3) Has the minister, the department or any of
their representatives met with impacted or potentially impacted businesses?(a) If yes, who and when?(b) If not, why not?
the Minister for Tourism:I refer to the
reported record-breaking marine heatwave that has resulted in significant coral
bleaching and mass death along WA's Coral Coast.(1) Can the minister confirm how many tourism
operators run tours to reefs impacted by the marine heatwave, coral bleaching
and coral death?(2) Approximately how many staff do the operators
in question (1) employ?(3) Has the minister, the department or any of
their representatives met with impacted or potentially impacted businesses?(a) If yes, who and when?(b) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 August 2025
Response time
0 days
Hon Matthew Swinbourn replied:I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Tourism.(1)–(2) Australia's Coral Coast Regional
Tourism Organisation lists 25 tourism operators that have scheduled tours and the
Australia's North West RTO has five tourism operators. Operators are required
to be licensed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,
which is better placed to provide more detailed information.(3) Australia's Coral Coast RTO has undertaken
stakeholder engagement sessions in the region across a range of priority issues
and has advised Tourism Western Australia that feedback received to date has
not indicated any interruption nor downturn in business due to the bleaching
incident. Australia's Coral Coast RTO also remains in regular contact with the
Exmouth Visitor Centre, which provides representation and a booking service for
most operators and has confirmed that it has not reported any downturn in bookingsor inquiries to date. The Australia's North West Regional
Tourism Organisation holds regular memberupdates to engage with industry
and has not received any feedback of business downturn from the coral bleaching
incident at this time.
Coral Coast—Coral bleaching
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Tourism.(1)–(2) Australia's Coral Coast Regional
Tourism Organisation lists 25 tourism operators that have scheduled tours and the
Australia's North West RTO has five tourism operators. Operators are required
to be licensed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,
which is better placed to provide more detailed information.(3) Australia's Coral Coast RTO has undertaken
stakeholder engagement sessions in the region across a range of priority issues
and has advised Tourism Western Australia that feedback received to date has
not indicated any interruption nor downturn in business due to the bleaching
incident. Australia's Coral Coast RTO also remains in regular contact with the
Exmouth Visitor Centre, which provides representation and a booking service for
most operators and has confirmed that it has not reported any downturn in bookingsor inquiries to date. The Australia's North West Regional
Tourism Organisation holds regular memberupdates to engage with industry
and has not received any feedback of business downturn from the coral bleaching
incident at this time.
Coral Coast—Coral bleaching
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