So you want to visit the great barrier reef?

The marine tourism industry is a major contributor to the local and Australian economy generating over $4.228 billion per annum in 2003. It is the largest commercial activity in the Great Barrier Reef region.

Well, there is a great little company in Cairns, Australia, that is doing there part to help those visiting learn more about the reef.  I found this company while browsing tripadvisor.com.  it was rated as the third best and most popular activity to do while visiting the reef.  It is called Reef Teach, and it is has been educating visitors since 1992.

---

You can find information at their website, located at http://www.reefteach.com.au/
click on the image to go there.
They are a really neat tourism attraction, and they utilize the 5 cornerstones of fair trade, even though their program and efforts can seem rather small.

The 5 cornerstones of fair trade are; fair working conditions, fair prices, integration Into the local economy and regional development, fair trade partnerships between all actors in tours, and sustainable resource use and environmental justice.


I will be outline how the company Reef Teach falls into each of these catagories.

---

• Fair Working Conditions: Reef Teach employs experienced divers and can give you tips on good diving and snorkeling practices, choosing a reef trip to suit your needs, and even how to take a good photograph underwater so that you can cherish your Barrier Reef moments for a lifetime. 
• Fair Prices: Reef teach offers very reasonable prices. it is $18 per adult for a two to three hour class.  If you have a family of 4 people then it is only $45. But really, can you put a price on education?  They do not raise their prices during peak tourism seasons. And they offer their classes to anyone who wants to take them.  You can even rent their entire classroom for a group.
• Integration Into the Local Economy and Regional Development: Reef Teach was set up in 1992 by Paddy Colwell, who was working on Cairns dive boats briefing visitors about the Great Barrier Reef. Realizing that people were interested in finding out more than he could get across in 15 minutes, he decided to set up a land-based show in the evenings so that people could learn more about the reef. Paddy ran Reef Teach for 14 years before retiring in 2007.  Reef teach has a gift shop, which ensures that money stays in the city of Cairns.
• Fair Trade Partnerships Between All Actors in Tourism:  Reef teach simply teaches about the reef.  Yes, they have hands on exhibits, such as coral you can touch as well as fish that you can look at and touch.  But Reef Teach doesn't take you out to the reef.  I think Reef teach is intended to be one stop on a long list of destinations to visit while in Cairns or the Barrier Reef in general.  Reef teach also is in close partnership with Digital Diver, an underwater photography business. The presenters are knowledgeable biologists and conservationists who can help you learn what to look for, where to look, and how to discover as much as possible
• Sustainable Resource Use and Environmental Justice: Reef Teach has a very low resource use. unlike a hotel or a cruise liner, which uses manpower and natural resources such as electricity and fuel, Reef Teach uses a small teaching facility and focuses on teaching people about the reef. Really, Reef Teach's largest impact on environmental justice is the fact of how they influence reef visitors about how they can care for the reef, including good practices when it comes to diving, photographing, snorkeling, and even what they can do in their hotel rooms to cut their impact on the reef.  The instructors can also explain how to minimize your impact on the reef and what to do to help protect our reefs, fish, turtles and other marine wildlife

Sources :http://www.greatbarrierreef.org/tourism_overview.php

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g255069-Activities-c25-Cairns_Cairns_Region_Queensland.html

http://www.reefteach.com.au/about/about-reef-teach/