A film about killer sharks set in Queensland has sparked concerns among local tourism bosses it will discourage
gap year travel insurance customers and their fellow holidaymakers from visiting the region.
The Reef - filmed at Bowen and Harvey Bay - tells the story of a group of friends terrorised by a pack of great white sharks after their boat capsizes on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef.
But the movie has angered tourism operators, who say the film will scare visitors away from the area.
Col McKenzie, chief executive of the Association of Marine Park Operators, told the Cairns Post: "Any kind of shark attack or what they air in the Jaws movies and things like that, there's a drop off in inquiries within the marine tourism industry."
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Rob Giason added that he is concerned the film - allegedly based on a true story - distorts reality as the species does not inhabit the reef.
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