The Great Barrier Reef is now a theme park with increasing tourist potential , claims a tour operator , with developments including underwater statues and a new hotel with underwater rooms . Whitsunday Islands reef operator Tony Fontes has said the government - run Great reef Reef Marine Park Authority ( GBRMPA ) has moved away from its original focus . Former GBRMPA director John Day said the changes could have followed a need to boost tourism after the mass coral disasters of 2016 and 2017 . parks said it aims to protect and conserve the reef but also allow ecologically sustainable use .
The Great Barrier Reef is becoming a theme park with increasing tourist developments, claims a tour operator, with developments including underwater statues and a new hotel with underwater rooms. Whitsunday Islands dive operator Tony Fontes has said the government-run Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has moved away from its original focus. Former GBRMPA director John Day said the changes could have followed a need to boost tourism after the mass coral bleachings of 2016 and 2017. GBRMPA said it wanted to protect and conserve the reef but also allow ecologically sustainable use.