Tourism Recreation Coral Reefs Elizabeth Halpenny Nature Tourism
Tourism, Recreation & Coral Reefs Elizabeth Halpenny Nature 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: Reef. Watchers; Reef. Teachers; Watchable Wildlife Project
Solutions: Case Studies ©Florida: 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 Outreach ©Monitoring ©Increased understanding of tourism and recreation sector ©Guidelines ©Financing
Thank you Elizabeth Halpenny Nature Tourism Solutions / University of Waterloo Email: ehalpenny@sympatico. ca & The International Ecotourism Society Web: www. ecotourism. org
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