Uluru climbing ban a step in the right direction, tour operators say

A ban on climbing one of Australia’s iconic tourism sites has been accepted as a necessary decision by local tour operators, with some calling for restrictions on even more sacred sites in various parts of the country.

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Board will impose a ban on the controversial practice of climbing Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, in the heart of the Northern Territory’s “Red Centre” from October next year.

The move has prompted speculation that other sacred sites would follow suit, sparking a debate between those who want to protect the sites and those who want respectful visitors to continue to have access to these locations.

But Intrepid Travel’s regional director Brett Mitchell thinks the decision to ban the Uluru climb for them is uncomplicated. “For us, that decision should have come a lot sooner,” he said.

“Yes, it’s a (bucket list thing for some travellers) to get to Uluru but once you’re able to explain why it’s sacred, those that might have been inclined to climb it will conclude that it’s a no-brainer not to climb it. So we haven’t had any negative feedback in that sense.”

The ban has long been supported by Tourism Central Australia, where CEO Steven Schwer believes the change won’t impact tourist numbers to the region. “The (tourist demand to climb Uluru) used to be a lot more prevalent than it is these days,” he said.

“Less than 20 per cent of all visitors who enter the park now climb the rock and the numbers are continuing to diminish. And what’s interesting is there are far more people who complain that the rock climb is still open than those who complain about it being closed.”

More than 300,000 people visit Uluru every year, with tourists choosing to climb the rock despite a sign by the traditional land owners expressing their wishes for visitors to avoid climbing the spiritually significant landmark as that is seen as offensive to the Anangu people.

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