Byron Tourist Numbers Plummet

[Nete-Quette]

As both major Sydney dailies carry news that the one time "jewel in the tourism crown" Byron Bay has been suffering a massive  tourist downturn the Greens still have their communal heads in the Byron sand. Jan Barham was quoted as saying "We're focusing more on high-yield visitors - less numbers but a higher spend,''  HELLO Ms Barham, the creation of the Marine Park (which you promised would massively boost tourist numbers!) is probably responsible for most of the downturn! Yes higher fuel prices mean people are less inclined to use the car but you can't fly with a boat in carry on baggage. The fishermen who once flocked to Byron and surrounds have deserted you and have taken their boats and families with them. Also gone are tourism dollars they spent on fuel, tackle, bait, accommodation, eating out, entertainment, gifts and mementos etc. These were your "high yield visitors" and they have gone where they can fish in peace without being spied on by high tech cameras perched on the headland or having to worry about whether they have crossed some imaginary border between blue or pink water!

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Dr Jon Jenkins

[Nete-Quette]

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[sandfly]

        Could apply same senario for any coastal villiages where these dracula Marine Parks have been create without reason or scientific research. What happened to the millions of tourist dollars promised by government departments when creating these parks? Didn't 6000 signatures say they were unwanted in Byron Bay?