WWF–Australia has been buoyed by the strong commitment of the tourism industry in Far North Queensland to work towards protecting the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

A team of WWF agricultural scientists, fishing experts and climate change campaigners have met with key tourism and business operators stretching from Port Douglas in the north to Townsville in the south, during a two-week tour of the region. "We've enjoyed the warm hospitality of the region and found strong recognition from tourism leaders that their future is dependent on protecting the Great Barrier Reef," said WWF Reef and Rangelands Program Leader Nick Heath, who grew up in the region.

"We are keen to work together at a deeper level in the future to help the industry achieve its goal of growing sustainably and reducing its water and biodiversity footprint.

"There is enormous economic value in conserving the reef and rainforest environment."

Latest figures published by Access Economics indicate the Great Barrier Reef contributes at least $5.4 billion to the Australian economy each year – approximately 94 per cent of which is attributable to the tourism industry.

"By protecting the reef's health, we'll go a long way to protecting the 54,000 mainly tourism-related jobs dependent on the reef," Mr Heath said.

Mr Heath said he was particularly interested in a growing desire by tourism operators to engage with the local Indigenous community in developing joint cultural and conservation initiatives.

WWF's tour follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the tourism industry and environment groups.

The agreement undertakes to establish the Queensland Tourism and Conservation Alliance with members including the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Tourism Queensland, The Wilderness Society, Queensland Conservation Council and WWF-Australia.

This is a big year for the Reef, with new laws recently introduced by the Queensland Government aimed at improving the quality of water draining into reef catchment areas.

The Federal Government is also preparing to release the inaugural Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report which will provide the most up-to-date stock take on the health of the reef, its management and future.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett also recently announced a $50 million down payment on his government's $200 million Reef Rescue election commitment to help farmers protect the reef.

The Reef is also among the 28 finalists vying for the title of "New 7 Wonders of Nature", a global online campaign aimed at creating a contemporary list of natural wonders through popular vote.

WWF-Australia is part of the WWF International Network, one of the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organisations. It has close to five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries.

www.ec3global.com