Ecotourism A Positive Influence


In June, 2007, the New York Times printed a story identifying a number of very positive influences ecotourism has had on endangered environments. Although the Great Barrier is the world’s best-known reef, the Mesoamerican Reef in the Caribbean is the most seriously endangered. Coastal development, runoff and pollution (primarily from cruise lines) threaten the health of this Reef. With the aid of world-wide conservation programs, the Mesoamerican Reef is adopting programs similar to those operating in the Great Barrier Reef that aim to reduce the damaging effects of tourism.

“From the South Pacific to the Caribbean, coral reefs—which are among the most delicate of marine ecosystems—are bearing the brunt of climate change and other human-driven activities—including coastal development, deforestation and unrestricted tourism. Now, many in the tourist industry are trying to halt the damage.” (New York Times, June 24, 2007)

Reef Preservation Partnerships

Because of growing interest in environmental issues, the tourism industry has begun to partner in conservation efforts in reef areas around the world. Such efforts, among too many to list, include eco-certification programs for tourist operators in marine parks and financial contributions by the tourism industry to marine life research. The ecotourism industry has collaborated with conservation groups, hotel owners/managers, developers, cruise lines and governments to address identified threats.

Partnerships in the Coral Triangle in South East Asia have been equally important in addressing reef conservation issues. A local association of dive operators who saw the decline of coral in the mid-1990s today manages Bunaken National Park, in north Sulawesi. Other national park lands in Papua and surrounding islands, as well as a number around the world, are run jointly by tourism companies, local governmental organizations and conservation groups.

Finally, blast fishing (using explosive to stun or kill fish for harvesting) is now prohibited in a variety of reef areas where conservation groups, local governments and fisheries partner to protect the reefs and marine environment. A major goal of ecotourism partnership is to support sustainable use of the reef and marine environment, including providing alternative livelihoods to destructive fishing.