Tourism industry joins push to expand Queensland’s national parks

Protected areas, such as Magnetic Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, contribute significantly to Queensland’s $23bn tourism industry. Photograph: Melissa Findley/Tourism and Events Queensland

Leading Queensland tourism and conservation organisations have joined forces to call on the state government to significantly increase funding to expand protected areas in the state.

The state government has previously committed to doubling the area of protected land in Queensland from 8.2% to 17% – an increase of 15m hectares.