Intrepid “incredibly disappointed” by Uluru photos

Intrepid “incredibly disappointed” by Uluru photos

One of Intrepid Travel’s top brass has vented the company’s disapproval over recent photos showing hordes of tourists climbing Uluru.

The photos, which have surfaced on social media over the last few days, show massive lines of visitors clambering up the sacred Northern Territory landmark before a climbing ban kicks in on 26 October.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzff1UmIT5c/?utm_source=ig_embed

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzXnoyMg5-F/?utm_source=ig_embed

The ban was put in place due to safety and environmental concerns, as well as the landmark’s cultural significance to the traditional custodians of the land, the Anangu people.

Intrepid Travel’s general manager for the Asia Pacific, Brett Mitchell, told Travel Weekly that the company was “incredibly disappointed” to see the lines of people hiking up Uluru.

“We ceased climbing back in 1998, in respect to the traditional owners,” he said.

“As a responsible travel company, we believe that tourism needs to work for local communities as well as the travellers visiting them. Uluru is a sacred site and it should be treated as such.

Mitchell said Intrepid’s team on the ground has reported an influx of tourists hiking the rock, and has also received more enquiries around climbing it.

“We educate travellers about why they shouldn’t climb, but we cannot stop them,” he said.

“We communicate our respect for the site wherever we can – from trip notes, to sales, to our people on the ground.”

The shocking photos come not long after a pic of a human traffic jam on Mount Everest went viral and stunned the world.

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]