Calls for Uluru climb to REOPEN to boost tourism amid the coronavirus downturn
- Alice Springs Major Business group has called for the climb to be reopened
- Northern Territory's tourist industry has been hit hard amid the COVID-19 crisis
- The Uluru climb was closed in October at the request of its traditional owners
- Chairman Dave Batic said opening for two-to-three years would be a windfall
- But former Uluru Kata-Tjuta Board chairman Sammy Wilson outright said 'no'
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A business lobbying group is calling for the Uluru climb to reopen to boost tourism amid the coronavirus downturn.
The popular tourist activity was permanently shutdown in October last year at the request of the traditional land owners.
But Alice Springs Major Business Group chairman Dave Batic said there has been talk of reopening the climb to re-build Northern Territory tourism when border restrictions are lifted, potentially in August.
Traditional custodians of the land (pictured) pose with the closure sign after the activity was shutdown in October last year
'There's three iconic destinations in Australia that we talk about: The reef, the rock and the Sydney Opera House. The rock is actually going to be our saviour from a tourism perspective,' he told ABC News.
Mr Batic, who is also the general manager of Alice Springs airport, said a 'bold' plan is needed to draw in travellers, as all Australian states and territories are competing for the tourism dollar.
He referred to the proposition as a 'grand opening' or 'grand reopening' of the Northern Territory and said allowing access to Uluru for two-to-three three years, in partnership with the traditional owners, would be a windfall for local tourism.
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'The concept there is that the traditional owners would provide tours for paying climbers and have a safety harness system in place just like the Sydney Harbour Bridge,' he said.
Mr Batic said the closure had an immediate effect on tourism, with 10,000 less travellers passing through the airport in the following months.
While he acknowledged the management of such an initiative lies with the traditional land owners, Mr Batic said it was important to be discussed.
But former Uluru Kata-Tjuta Board chairman Sammy Wilson said the idea was off the cards.
'No. Enough is enough. The word is no,' said Mr Wilson, who was head of the board when the decision to close was made in 2017.
The sandstone monolith is an iconic Australian tourist attraction for worldwide visitors. Aussie Actress Margot Robbie (pictured) visited the site in May, 2019
Uluru is a sacred site and of great spiritual significance to local Aboriginal groups, including the Pitjantjatjara Anangu traditional owners who live in nearby Mutitjulu.
Traditional owners say the closure has sparked a new opportunity for visitors to learn about the Anangu people and culture and experience the spectacular country surrounding Uluru.
In October, tourists flocked to the red monolith for their last chance to ascend the 550million-year-old rock, with pictures of the packed crowds drawing worldwide coverage.
The closure of the sandstone natural wonder of the world coincided with the 34th anniversary of the park being returned to its traditional owners.
A Parks Australia spokesperson said the closure represents the long-held wishes of the park's traditional owners.
Climbers can now be fined up to $10,000 for attempting to summit Uluru
When the climb was active, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park had around 300,000 visitors to the rock and its surrounds annually.
The park will reopen on June 18 when the Commonwealth Biosecurity Act is due to expire.
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (pictured) had around 300,000 visitors annually before it was closed
