Press Release

3 out of 5 oppose proposed Uluru climbing ban

December 04, 2009
OUTRAGED Aussie travellers say plans to ban tourists from climbing Australian icon Uluru will have a serious impact on tourism, according to a new survey.

Three out of five Aussie voters disagree with a proposed ban, arguing it is one of the country’s biggest tourism attractions. They say a ban could affect the tourism industries in Northern Territory and Australia.

They were responding to a survey by leading online travel website totaltravel.com which asked the question: "Should tourists be banned from climbing Uluru (Ayers Rock)?"

It follows the release of a draft management plan for the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which calls for a ban on people climbing the 348-metre-high rock, which is sacred to indigenous people.

People who voted against the possible ban voiced their concerns online.

One voter commented: "Ayers Rock has been part of the Australian landscape far longer than any human has walked the earth. It doesn't belong to anyone; it is just another feature of the earth we "ALL" live on... Why should anyone have any rights to lay claim or dictate who can and who can't climb it? Why don't we all just try to share?"

However, 37 per cent of voters were supportive of a ban. They believe climbing Uluru is dangerous and it is a sacred Aboriginal site that should be protected from environmental damage.

"I believe respect for aboriginal sacred places, such as Uluru, is long-overdue. I believe tourists will be equally interested in learning about the cultural significance of Uluru if it is presented in a positive way. This is the era of tourism where tourists have a thirst for authentic learning experiences."

Three per cent of people voted that they didn’t care.
totaltravel.com global marketing manager Paul Fisher said Uluru was a beautiful, sacred site and Australia was fortunate to have such an amazing icon.

"I think it’s important that travellers respect the cultural importance of Uluru to indigenous Australians, as well as its ecological fragility," he said.

"We want to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy Uluru too."

The survey attracted 1509 votes and ran for a period of four weeks.

ENDS: Media enquiries to Paul Fisher on (02) 6680 8755 or 0404 057 367

You can view the poll results at:
http://www.totaltravel.com.au/australia/poll/uluru-tourist-ban/results

About totaltravel.com

totaltravel.com was established in 2002 and is Australia’s leading online travel marketplace for travellers and travel suppliers. Travellers can research destinations, read the opinions of other travellers, find travel offers and then deal directly with travel suppliers to save money.