Tourism, Recreation & Coral Reefs
Elizabeth HalpennyNature Tourism
Solutions / University of Waterloo
Overview
The “Big Picture”: impacts of tourism and recreation
Solutions & case studies
The big picture: Impacts
Tourism and recreation are:
- here to stay
- big business, largest economic sector
- US travel receipts for 2001 were US$72.3 billion
TIAA (1997) 83% of US travelers support “green” travel companies and are willing to spend on average 6.2% more for environmentally responsible travel services and products
The big picture: Impacts
Tourism and recreation are:
- here to stay
- big business, largest economic sector
- US travel receipts for 2001 were US$72.3 billion
- diverse (small and large scale companies) (broad range of activities)
The big picture: Impacts
The big picture: Impacts
Positive impacts- income generation for MPAs- income generation for local
communities- increased environmental awareness- health benefits to humans from
recreational activities
The big picture: Impacts
The big picture: Impacts
Negative Impacts
- trampling of corals
- siltation
- pollution (suntan oil, boat fuel, motor noise, sewage, etc.)
- increase fresh water runoff
- increase in fish harvesting
The big picture: Review
Tourism & recreation are:
- Big business
- Entrenched, here to stay
- Diverse and complex
- Brings positive and negative impacts
- Hard to measure, manage, or plan for
Solutions: Case Studies
Hawaii: ReefWatchers; ReefTeachers; Watchable Wildlife Project
Solutions: Case StudiesFlorida: Sea Smart, Dive Smart Program;
REEF Fish Survey Project; Great American Fish Count
Solutions: Case Studies
California: Coral Parks Program and recreationists guidelines; Protect the Living Reef campaign
Solutions: Case Studies
Kosrae, FSM: Kosrae Village Ecolodge
Solutions Overview
Education and OutreachMonitoringIncreased understanding of
tourism and recreation sectorGuidelinesFinancing
Thank youElizabeth Halpenny
Nature Tourism Solutions / University of Waterloo
Email: [email protected]&
The International Ecotourism SocietyWeb: www.ecotourism.org