We're running a feature on Ayers Rock this week, and naturally it mentions plans to stop visitors from climbing the vast red stone.
Their reasons (preservation, respect and safety, in short) are noble enough, but the plans worry some in the trade. Would a ban on climbing hit tourism, or would people go anyway?
Nathan Midgley Web editor, Travel Weekly
I think it is disgusting that people are allowed to climb Ayers Roock anyway, this site is sacred to the Aborigines and I think it is disrespectful that people climb it, you don't see people climbing the Vatican, I'm all for banning it.
I think people who are worrying really need to take a step back and think what makes this place so special, sometimes nowadays all people think about is money and how things will affect them, it's time to stop thinking about the money and start thinking about other people and what really makes these places special.
Having never visited Ayers Rock, I would still love to visit Ayres Rock, there is still many other reasons for people to visit, to view the rock, starlight dinners, arts and crafts etc
A lot of people are unaware Ayers Rock is a sacred site, the fact it is still legal to climb sends mixed messages, if it was more published I think less people would actually want to climb it
I agree, I think it is very important to protect sacred sights. I sometimes think the same about endangered wildlife - should we really be taking trips to see them in their natural habitat, or is it better for tourism to stay away?
Agreed on respecting the sacred sites. Agreed on mixed messages. Not sure about taking trips to see the endangered wildlife in their habitat. As long as it is regulated properly and the tourists are advised and guided before being taken about the impact, I do not see what harm it could do, only the opposite. It will make people sit back and think about preserving those habitats for future generation. The point is that it has to be regulated properly. Well they do it in Antarctica and it seems to work.
Personally, I couldn't care less if people run up and down Ayers Rock or not. That is an issue for the Aborigines and Australian government to decide. But, comparing it to something similar that happens all over the world I feel can help to put it into perspective.
Would you all be in favour of being allowed to enter St Pauls Cathedral and walking up to the dome if they are not practising Christians, or should all non-Christians be forced to admire it from the outside only?
After all, their are lots who consider people running around inside St Pauls taking photos to be extremely disrespectful. Not to mention the damage that thousands of people trooping through can cause.
98% of people surveyed in the park over the last 3-years said they would still go regardless of whether they could climb or not. And about only one-third of visitors actually climb it anyway. Its closed a lot due to wind and high temperatures as well. There may well be some impact, but overall the park experience is such that it will only impact minimally.
For those wanting to read the facts and figures I recommend you read the draft management plan: www.envoronment.gov.au/parks/publications/uluru/pubs/draftplan.pdf