Tourists Flock To Uluru As Climbing Ban Approaches

ULURU, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Visitors return from the Mala Walk trail at Uluru on August 12, 2019 in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia. The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park board decided unanimously that the climb will close permanently on October 26, 2019. The date coinciding with the hand-back to traditional owners in 1985 and seen by many as a form of reconciliation. The climb deadline date has sparked a considerable boost in tourism, also aided by cooler weather and the introduction of direct flights to Ayers Rock Airport from cities Darwin and Adelaide. According to Parks Australia Uluru has welcomed 244,075 visitors this calendar year, an increase of 18.7%. Sacred to the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people, climbing Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) is strongly discou3raged by them for its cultural significance and their concerns for peoples safety. Over 30 people have died and numerous injured while attempting the steep ascent, less than 20% of park visitors take part in the climb. Known as Anangu land, the arkose sandstone formation, 348 meters high is believed to be half a billion years old. The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, jointly managed by Anangu traditional owners and Parks Australia includes Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Area. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)