Indigenous coral reef tourism

Abstract

Coral reefs are part of the marine estates of Indigenous local communities worldwide. Their reefs are integral to their cultural beliefs and practices and provide important economic, social and environmental benefits. Indigenous coral reef communities (ICRC) are also culturally and linguistically diverse and, in the majority of cases, have different legacies resulting from colonial pasts which have impacted their rights to control and benefit from their coral reef estates. This chapter highlights the traditional values associated with coral reefs, as well as the many issues concerning ownership, lack of respect for traditional knowledge in coral reef management, restrictions on traditional use practices, the role of marine parks and protected areas, and their often shared concerns about the current state of the health of coral reefs. Many of their reefs, however, are also sought-after destinations for tourists who want to carry out a variety of activities on the reefs and in the surrounding waters, in some cases, creating conflict with the traditional users. The diverse social, cultural, environmental and economic impacts of tourism on ICRCs are discussed, together with the varying nature and extent of Indigenous involvement in local tourism industries, including how the tourist experience can mutually benefit from local Indigenous community participation in the delivery of tourism activities.