Marine Ecotourism. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea -

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Recreation and Tourism

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Coastal tourism and recreation embraces the full range of tourism, leisure, and recreationally oriented activities that take place in the coastal zone and the offshore coastal waters. These include coastal tourism development (hotels, resorts, restaurants, etc.), and the infrastructure supporting coastal development (e.g. marinas, beaches, recreational fishing facilities). Also included is ecotourism and recreational activities such as recreational boating, cruises, swimming, recreational fishing, snorkeling and diving. Coastal tourism and recreation likewise include the public and private programs affecting all the aforementioned activities.

At both global and national scales, tourism is the fastest-growing economic sector today. Here are some basic fact about the tourism industry to highlight its importance, and impacts:

In 1998, it accounted for over 10 per cent of the world GNP and directly or indirectly for 200 million jobs worldwide.
In 2000, 700 million people visited a foreign country - 62% of them for leisure accounting for US$ 478 billion of international receipts/revenues.
Tourism is one of the five top export categories for 83% of countries, and the main one for 38% of them.
Tourism employs 3% of the total global workforce (8% if indirect/informal jobs are included, or one in every 12 workers).
In France, the world's number-one tourism destination, tourism accounts for over 7% of GDP.

For many coastal, tropical, developing countries, tourism plays an important role in the economy often representing the major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and national government revenue. The World Tourism Organisation has estimated that tourism receipts account for some 25 percent of total export earnings in the Pacific and over 35 percent for Caribbean islands. However, much of the income generated by tourism does leak back to developed countries (30-50 percent in the Caribbean), mostly to foreign air carriers, hotel owners and suppliers of imported food and beverages. Tourism is mainly a natural resource based industry and, as such, affects air, land and water and can damage natural systems if its planning, development and operation are not properly managed. On the other hand, if developed sustainably, tourism can be a positive force for conservation and environmental protection. See More...

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Title

Marine Ecotourism. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea ( BOOK )

Author(s) / Editor(s)

Cater,C.;

Cater,E.

Description

The planet's most fascinating and yet tantalisingly under-researched component is now a rapidly growing tourism frontier. The sea attracts millions of tourists annually with its diverse array of exclusive activities, but its sheer size brings with it considerable problems for management. Within the context of other economic activities that may compromise the success, if not the very existence of marine ecotourism, this text examines the wide range of marine ecotourism resources, not only natural, but also cultural and man-made. Covering economic, marketing planning and regulation issues, this book also considers the vital role of marine ecotourism in raising awareness of the significance of the seas and oceans to sustainable coastal livelihoods. At a time of great concern over the effects of climate change and high profile issues such as depletion of fish stocks and oil spillages, the insights this book provides are essential reading.

Keywords

ECOTOURISM;

ECONOMY;

MARKETING;

PLANNING;

REGULATION;

TOURISM

Geography Keywords

GLOBAL

Content Language(s)

English

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