Exploring indirect environmental risks that impact coral reef tourism in the East African Marine Ecoregion.
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Authors
Queiros, Dorothy
Van Zyl, Cina
Dimopoulos, Dimitri
Issue Date
2021
Type
Presentation
Language
en
Keywords
Dive operators , East African Marine Ecoregion , Environmental change , Indirect environmental risks , Marine tourism , Scuba diving industry
Alternative Title
Abstract
The east coast of Africa is renowned as an adventure tourism getaway destination and scuba dive tourists from around the world frequent the region to dive on its pristine coral reefs. Environmental change, however, is becoming a key driver for dive tourists’ decisions to travel, and these tourists are avoiding areas where coral reefs are no longer pristine. Indirect environmental risks, occurring outside the borders of countries and outside the control of dive operators, impact on coral reef tourism within those countries and on the greater Blue Economy. Indirect environmental risks include climate change, industrialisation of coastal regions, increased shipping and boating activities, as well as marine and land-based pollution. This paper reports on the perceptions of dive operators on the indirect environmental risks which threaten the future of the dive tourism industry in the East African Marine Ecoregion. The research followed an exploratory and descriptive research design within a post-positivism paradigm. Via purposive sampling, surveys were conducted with 34 dive operators from Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa. Research findings indicate two overall areas of concern impacting on coral reefs – activities relating to climate change, followed by coastal development and industrialisation of coastal areas. In terms of specific indirect risks, marine pollution is significant, followed by coral bleaching and extreme weather events. There is an increasing level of concern that continued environmental disturbances will impact on business in future. This is not just a problem for the coastal tourism industry, but also for coastal communities who share this precious resource. It is vital to cast a spotlight on the turbulent waters of environmental risks, which ultimately affect the sustainability of marine tourism and wider Blue Economy. By doing so, regional plans can be shaped to respond to these threats in a more discerning way.
Description
Citation
Dimopolous, D., Queiros, D. and Van Zyl, C. 2021. Exploring Indirect Environmental Risks That Impact Coral Reef Tourism In The East African Marine Ecoregion. Transcending Borders in Tourism Through Innovation and Cultural Heritage:Paper presented at the 8th International Conference of IACuDiT (International Association of Cultural and Digital Tourism). Hydra Island, Greece, 1-3 September, 155-172.
Publisher
Springer
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
2198-7254
2198-7246
2198-7246