Reef tour operators strike tax barrier

Sarah Elks -

The federal government is increasing its "reef tax" on Great Barrier Reef tourists, just as the clouds show signs of lifting for an industry enduring its bleakest period in nearly 25 years.

While the impost might seem small -- lifting the levy on a day-trip ticket to the reef by 50c to $6 -- some struggling operators say they will be forced to absorb the rise at a time when they are already on their knees.

The hike will come into effect from April next year, but companies are already building the increase into their prices, which range between $100 and $200 for an all-inclusive day on the reef.

After limping through the global financial crisis and last summer's flood and cyclone disasters, north Queensland's once-thriving tourism industry has had to contend with the added blow of a strong Australian dollar.

The skyrocketing currency makes holidaying abroad cheaper for Australians and the local product more expensive for inbound foreign tourists.

Snorkelling in the azure waters lapping the outer reef off Cairns this week, 28-year-old Asta Law, from Hong Kong, said she would have no problem with paying more to fund preservation of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

"As a customer, I would love to do that for the reef," said Ms Law, who works for cruise company Great Adventures, liaising with the all-important Chinese market.

But that's not the point, say some ailing tourism operators, who question why the federal government can't waive the reef tax rise, which is set in law and automatically linked to the consumer price index, when the industry is doing it so tough.

Whitsundays-based Bernard Heimann, owner of the Maxi Ragamuffin day-charter yacht, said Queensland's reef-based tourism industry was at its lowest point since the 1989 pilots' dispute.

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