The decision by Australia’s federal environment minister, Tony Burke, to give National Heritage Listing to the Kimberley region in Western Australia has divided the travel industry.
Tour operators including Intrepid Travel, Adventure Tours Australia, and Kimberley Wild Expeditions said the decision would help to protect the unique landscape of the area that already attracts more than 300,000 visitors a year.
"This is a real leg up for the Australian tourism industry in a year that has been pretty tough,” said Jelina Mitrovic, responsible business manager, Intrepid Travel.
“It recognises that the economic value of the region doesn't just lie underground (for mining) and that tourism is a viable future for the Kimberley.
"We now have World Heritage listing in our sights – it would put the Kimberley alongside tourism icons such as the Great Barrier Reef and Kakadu,” Mitrovic added.
However, Tourism Council WA president Evan Hall said without additional funding the listing would only make it more difficult for visitors to access or enjoy the region.
"Unfortunately, it means we've got to go through [approval processes] twice … which means we've got to go through the same red tape as if we were doing a huge mining operation," he said.
"It's a huge burden and makes it very, very difficult for small operators to do something new or to open up a new experience.
"It will cost time, it will cost money and it could cost the project."
