Tourism
Going into a cave that is pitch-black and then looking up at its ceiling lit up by thousands (if not millions) of twinkling glow worms is a extraordinary experience. In some respects, it is like looking at the night’s sky with its thousands of stars that are visible to the human eye. It is amazing that these tiny insects can create their own light show. Therefore, it is little wonder that caves which are colonised by huge numbers of glow worms are becoming a tourist drawcard.
Going into a cave that is pitch-black and then looking up at its ceiling lit up by thousands (if not millions) of twinkling glow worms is a extraordinary experience. In some respects, it is like looking at the night’s sky with its thousands of stars that are visible to the human eye. It is amazing that these tiny insects can create their own light show. Therefore, it is little wonder that caves which are colonised by huge numbers of glow worms are becoming a tourist drawcard.
New Zealand
Probably the most renowned place to enjoy this glow worm experience is Waitomo Caves in New Zealand. Visitor records show that in 2011 between 450,000 and 500,000 tourists visited the Waitomo Caves. There are 10 major sites in the North Island and 5 locations in the South Island. Accordingly, in New Zealand millions of dollars are generated annually from tourism directly connected with glow worm tours (Hall 2011). |
Australia
The most famous glow worm sites in Australia are the Natural Bridge and Mt Cougal located at Springbrook National Park in Queensland. As it is still a developing tourism activity, it is more difficult to obtain up to date visitor information records. However, 2007 data shows that 280,000 tourist visits were made to the Natural Bridge and of these 65% (approx 180,000) were day visitors and 35% (99,000) were night visitors and mostly participating in commercial tour operations (Hall 2011). |
Tour Gold Coast’s current 2013 tour prices to Natural Bridge are $90 (adult), $54 (child) and $234 (family of 2A+2C). If commercial tour numbers continue to increase then revenue generated from Australian glow worm tourism will also in in the millions of dollars annually (Tour Gold Coast).
In a special 2007 Report, Qld Department of Environment and Resource Management stated that 'In addition to the fees paid for access, tourism operators have contributed to the better management of the national parks by sponsoring research and contributing to the site facilities and supervision'. Furthermore, after reviewing the increase in tourist numbers (especially commercial night tours) and their impact on the national park, 'QPWS has introduced management arrangements to ensure the ecologically sustainable use of Natural Bridge and its value while ensuring safe and equitable access for all commercial tour operators and the public' (DERM 2007 pp 6-7.)
In a special 2007 Report, Qld Department of Environment and Resource Management stated that 'In addition to the fees paid for access, tourism operators have contributed to the better management of the national parks by sponsoring research and contributing to the site facilities and supervision'. Furthermore, after reviewing the increase in tourist numbers (especially commercial night tours) and their impact on the national park, 'QPWS has introduced management arrangements to ensure the ecologically sustainable use of Natural Bridge and its value while ensuring safe and equitable access for all commercial tour operators and the public' (DERM 2007 pp 6-7.)
Biotechnology
Researches are now actively pursuing various ways for using bioluminescence in the field of biotechnology. The DNA of glow worms is being used to tag and track the progress of infections and diseases such as cancer through an animal's body. Medical trials for use in treatment of human patients have yet to begin
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but there are great expectations for its future use (Baker 2002). An article in Journal “Trends in Biotechnology” reported on potential for bioluminescence to be used in the fields of immunology, oncology, virology and neuroscience as a means of monitoring and observing various biological processes (Badr & Tannous 2011).
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