Destroyed by cyclones, impacted by climate change and neglected by foreign owners – these abandoned island resorts are now an eyesoreSix resorts along the Queensland coast have fallen into disrepair after cyclones, neglect from foreign owners and severe weather events.The Queensland government will attempt to strip Hong Kong-based billionaire Benny Wu of Double Island's lease for failing to open the resort to the public.
"We've always walked the shorelines looking for wildlife, but in the last few years, we have been given permission to go through the resort," Mr Madgwick said."The coconuts have taken a toll and the termites are having a good feed, it's sad really because it used to be a very glamorous resort back in the day."
The Department of Resources will attempt to strip Hong Kong based billionaire Benny Wu of Double Island's lease. There are plans to open "glamping" style accommodation on the island within months, following billionaire Annie Cannon-Brook's purchase in 2022.Professor Daniel Gschwind, from Griffith University's Institute for Tourism, said abandoned and closed resorts not only had an impact on the Great Barrier Reef's reputation, but Australia's broader tourism brand.
However, he said the high cost of maintaining as well as accessing the resorts by plane or barge was impacting on owners to turn a profit, as well as skyrocketing insurance premiums."So there are great obstacles to overcome, but the benefit and the value of those islands as a tourism destination really can't be overstated.