
FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
has been an important part of the history and culture of the region’s First Nations’ peoples. Communities have fished and hunted its waters, navigating between the islands of its coast and the outer reefs.
The Great Barrier Reef is now by far the jewel in the Australian tourism crown. A Deloitte Access Economics 2015/16 report estimated the total economic contribution to Australia of the Reef at $6.4 billion with 64,000 jobs supported by it. Within the Great Barrier Reef regions this translated to $2.9 billion and 24,000 supported jobs.
THE MARINE TOURISM BUSINESS
is the most important business in the Great Barrier Reef and a foremost contributor to the Australian economy. Yearly, it now generates over $4 billion, being the largest industrial activity in the Great Barrier Reef region.
A marine tourism business which now includes over 850 operators and 1500 vessels operating in the Marine Park. A dramatic increase from the fewer than 12 in 1968 to 180 in 1987 and 742 in 1998.
Few, if any, of these marine tourism businesses operating on the Reef today have a First Nation connection, let alone are owned or operated by the recognised original owners. Until now.
GIVEN THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE REEF
for the tourism industry, the Reef’s cultural relationship with First Nations people and our strategic goals as a company, Yumpla’s directors determined this was the logical place to start.
In doing so we have started the process of becoming the first authentic, wholly First Nation’s owned Reef tourism operator in this country’s history.
OUR STARTING PLACE
This multi-million dollar investment has been privately funded via the Yumpla initial investors, Minniecon Holdings Pty Ltd and associated First Nation corporate partners. It’s tangible commitment to ensuring their vision for the future is secure, sustainable and viable; and currently without government funding or any form of grants.
