WHITSUNDAYS, Australia (25 May 2008) — International media interest in the story of a couple who spent 19 hours drifting in seas off Queensland's coast could boost tourism in the region, a tourism body says. Richard Neely, 38, from the United Kingdom, and his American partner Allyson Dalton, 40, were diving on the Great Barrier Reef on Friday when they surfaced too far from their chartered boat. They were rescued on Saturday morning after a plane spotted them floating 7.8 nautical miles from where they were last seen. The survival story, which has been sold for a reported $1.1 million, has scored headlines across the world which have seized on the couple's fear of sharks as they waited to be rescued. Tourism Whitsundays chief executive Peter O'Reilly said the spectacular headlines, particularly in UK newspapers, could reaffirm Australia as the place for adventure tourism, which was a huge drawcard for the European market. "I think you've got to look for the silver-lining on the cloud and the silver-lining for us is that we're confirmed as a Great Barrier Reef dive destination and it is a bit adventurous, it is out there with the elements," Mr O'Reilly said. "Our markets internationally here are the youth adventure market primarily, certainly that's Airlie Beach, so that's not completely out of line with the market I guess." But he said some Europeans - who had been shown in research to be fearful of Australia's reputation for snakes, spiders and sharks - could avoid travelling down under. | | Lost scuba divers Dick Neely and Alison Dalton are being criticized in Australia for cashing in on their unanticipated, overnight stay at the Great Barrier Reef. Mr O'Reilly said Queensland had one of the safest dive industries in the world. Dive investigators from Queensland's Office of Workplace Health and Safety are now investigating the dive company, which reportedly took three hours to raise the alarm after realising the couple was missing. Police have finished their investigation, and have confirmed no charges will be laid. SCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
