STORY:
Great Barrier Reef Year 2000 Canceled

The Great Barrier Reef Visitors Bureau announced on it's web site that The Great Barrier Reef Millennium Party 1999 is now cancelled and will no longer operate.

According to a statement on the site, many factors have led to the decision to cancel the event, however in particular reason was the question of guest safety. Organizers say cyclone "Rona" forced organizers to re-evaluate their logistical plan for staging the event during the cyclone season. Organizers say they could no longer guarantee the safety of their guests if a cyclone or storm of this unusual nature was to happen again.

Also, with escalating unfounded press reports about the negative and disruptive effect of the YK2 "millennium bug" on air travelers and equipment suppliers, organizers believe "strong anecdotal evidence strongly supports the fact that many intending travelers will not be flying around the Christmas-New Year's 1999 period".

The statement also says "casual employment agencies such as we intended to use now advise us that they can no longer guarantee staffing for the event due to staff not being available over this special New Year's Eve period.

The statement goes on to say, "With all of the possible consequences of these factors, both real and imaginary, we have most reluctantly made the extremely difficult decision to cancel the event. However, with the experience we have now learnt from providing professional solutions to the extensive logistical requirements for staging this event, it is our intention to operate this event at a later date in 2000/2001 and in the tropical winter non-cyclone season."

All clients currently booked for the event will be offered a full refund or an alternative NYE function at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas along with appropriate partial refund.

DATE: 4/30/99

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