Reef Tourism Research Articles

Reef visitors' observation of assisted coral recovery devices in situ reduces concern about their use.

Assisted coral recovery (ACR) initiatives are establishing rapidly in coral reefs worldwide, using a variety of devices and techniques. In the Great Barrier Reef (GBR, the Reef), site-scale ACR field trials are occurring at multiple sites in the Cairns-Port Douglas region through Reef stewardship activities involving GBR tourism operators, Traditional Owners, and not-for-profit organisations. It is hypothesised that these field trials and the presence of ACR devices at reef tourism sites do not negatively affect visitor experiences, and when accompanied by appropriate educational information, can potentially help to raise awareness of Reef stewardship and conservation efforts. We tested these hypotheses using a survey of 708 Reef visitors on five tourism vessels, 346 of whom reported observing ACR devices in situ during their coral reef experience. Ordinal regression tests of survey responses found no statistical relationship between respondents' observation of ACR devices and (i) their overall Reef trip satisfaction, (ii) the perceived aesthetic beauty of the site(s) they visited, and (iii) their concern about the future health of the GBR. However, Reef visitors who observed ACR devices showed significantly lower levels of concern about the use of these devices on the Reef. The perceived quality of educational information presented to respondents was among the significant factors associated with their reef trip satisfaction and perceived beauty of reef sites. Our findings have implications for ACR practitioners and proponents who are concerned about public visibility, perceptions, and support for ACR initiatives, as the scale of such initiatives is expected to increase.

Changes in reef tourism’s adaptive capacity after severe climate disturbances

Changes in reef tourism’s adaptive capacity after severe climate disturbances

Estimating and comparing the direct economic contributions of reef fisheries and tourism in the Asia-Pacific

Global estimates of the economic value of coral reefs have been made using benefit transfer and other valuation methods, but it is unclear whether these estimates match actualized values (e.g. market values of reef fish and reef tourism) or how they scale to specific regions. Here we empirically estimated the (actualized) direct economic contribution of fishing and tourism on coral reefs (i.e., direct use values) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, which includes a majority (∼80%) of the global reef area. We found that coral reefs in the APAC region directly contributed $25 billion annually on average over the years 2008–2012 to the region’s economy from fishing and tourism alone. The majority of direct economic contributions (US$19.5 billion) was provided by reef tourism, while the remainder was divided between artisanal (US$2.4 billion) and industrial (US$3.2 billion) fisheries. The average economic productivity of coral reefs was estimated at US$112,000 per square kilometer of coral reef, although there were large deviations between countries in terms of economic utilization of their reefs. Our findings suggest that a highly-cited prior estimate of the global potential value of coral reefs (Cesar et al., 2003) is likely a significant underestimation of actual economic contributions. We discuss some of the implications for reef management. Most notably, our results indicate that the non-consumptive direct use of reef resources provide substantially more economic benefits than consumptive uses.

Towards a combined human-natural system approach in the Northern Red Sea Region: Ecological challenges, sustainable development, and community engagement

The northern Red Sea coastal ecosystem is one of the most diverse coastal ecosystems in the world. Fortunately, it has shown extraordinary resilience against climate change and is predicted to survive global warming during the coming decades. However, with warming waters, increased sediment and pollutants, and other human impacts, the ecosystem and consequently thriving reef tourism which forms a pillar of the ongoing economic diversification policies of the northern Red Sea region are under threat. A variety of evidence indicates significant damage has already been done to terrestrial and ocean ecosystems on both sides of the northern Red Sea. Expenditures on ecosystem protection and research lag behind Egypt’s billions in USD revenue from tourism. Unfortunately, the economic drive to generate profit has resulted in sprawling touristic, industrial, and mixed development without careful planning or assessment of the fragility and sustainability of the natural ecosystem. As a result, the future of coastal urban growth is murky. Given its natural, social, and touristic value, the northern Red Sea system requires a special ecological security system with detailed analysis, inclusive development, and proactive governance across coastal cities and their adjacent inland secondary cities. This study identifies the geological research gaps, human-ecological interactions, inclusive urban development challenges, and related literature pertaining to the northern Red Sea. We propose immediate, targeted, multidisciplinary research trajectories and provide policy recommendations to ensure that the region's existing and future developmental pursuits are undertaken in an environmentally sustainable and inclusive approach.

Snorkellers’ environmentally conscious behaviour after visiting the Great Barrier Reef

ABSTRACT The majority of tourists who visit Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR) engage in snorkelling. Yet little is known about how snorkellers perceive this experience. The aim of this study was to investigate snorkeller behaviour by exploring their environmental opinions and to provide insights on the association between climate concerns and environmentally conscious behaviours of snorkellers. A self-administered questionnaire (n = 273) was distributed onboard reef tourism vessels visiting the study area. Approximately one-third of respondents believe that climate change and global warming are major threats to the GBR. Regression results indicate the environmentally conscious behaviour model (ECBM), a modified version of the norm activation model, is effective in understanding how a snorkeller’s level of climate concern (LCC) both directly and indirectly activates and influences a snorkeller’s environmentally conscious behaviour (ECB). LCC has a positive direct effect on ECB, and a positive indirect effect via environmental identity (EI), and personal environmental norms (PEN).

Testing the reliability of adaptive capacity as a proxy for adaptive and transformative responses to climate change

The concept of adaptive capacity is increasingly being applied to understand and predict people’s ability to adapt to the emerging impacts of climate change. Despite its potential utility, the degree to which adaptive capacity is a reliable predictor of adaptation remains unclear; evidence for a causal relationship is insufficient and conflicting. To address this gap, we surveyed 231 reef tourism companies across eight countries in the Asia-Pacific that have been affected by severe climate disturbances between 2014 and 2019. We used a combination of descriptive and multivariate statistical approaches to explore the relationships between adaptive capacity, adaptive responses, and contextual conditions. Our findings indicate that a comprehensive operationalization of actor-specific adaptive capacity is not necessarily a reliable proxy for measuring potential adaptation to future climate change. The severity of impacts on individual operators was the major determinant of adaptive action. Adaptive action might therefore be adopted autonomously by the majority of microeconomic actors (when they are severely affected), irrespective of their a priori adaptive capacity. Adaptive capacity was, however, a reliable proxy for the likelihood that an operator would take transformative action as their primary response to a climate disturbance; several of our indicators of adaptive capacity had a meaningful effect size, in particular those within the adaptive capacity domain of social organization. Policies focused on improving coordination and collaboration between industry, research, and government actors might therefore be more effective than alternatives in promoting long-term transformation of social-ecological systems. Adaptation confidence and government effectiveness were barriers to transformative action, and we provide some potential explanations. Further empirical research is needed to evaluate the generality of our findings in different contexts over space and time.

Establishing Integrative Framework for Sustainable Reef Conservation in Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia

The Coral Triangle region is facing negative impacts due to unbalanced carrying capacity and inappropriate public behavior, leading to unsustainable reef tourism. As a result, there has been increased awareness and preference for sustainable reef conservation (SRC). This study evaluates the integrative perspective framework of tourists’ heterogeneity preferences in SRC programs using a choice experiment conducted in Karimunjawa National Park (KNP), Indonesia. The study found that tourists preferred boat anchoring at the mooring buoy, a lower number of boats, smaller tourist groups with interpretation, added information boards, and environmental awareness education. Additionally, this research revealed that most tourists preferred the alternative SRC program and had a heterogeneous preference, which showed different features among each group. The scenario of an integrative program generated the highest value compared to the “recreational management” and “institutional control” scenarios. This evidence can assist policymakers in adapting policies for SRC programs and in potentially securing conservation funds associated with enhancing the institutional aspects of carrying capacity and marine environmental education for sustainable marine development.

PENGEMBANGAN WISATA BAHARI PULAU GILI LABAK MELALUI DIGITAL MARKETING

Gili Labak Island is located in Kombang Village, Talango District, Sumenep Madura Regency. Marine tourism in Gili Labak is in the form of beach tourism (white sand) and snorkeling tours, because Gili Labak has an unspoiled and shallow coral reef ecosystem that is easily accessible to visitors. The current problem is the socio-economic gap between the local residents of Gili Labak Island and tour agents who are people from outside the island. In addition, there is a threat of damage to the coral reef ecosystem due to the activities of tourists who do not understand the code of conduct while traveling on coral reefs. The mentoring method used in this community service is PAR (Participatory Action Research). The UHT community service team built a website with the name https://wonderfulgililabak.com/ for the promotion of Gili Labak coral reef tourism. The dissemination of tour guides on coral reefs using leaflets in the local language (Madura) was quite effective in making local people and visitors understand the importance of preserving coral reef ecosystems. The use of websites for digital marketing of marine tourism in Gili Labak is still not effective due to the limited ability of local people to manage websites.

Active coral propagation outcomes on coral communities at high-value Great Barrier Reef tourism sites

Tourism-led stewardship of Great Barrier Reef (GBR) sites has implemented upscaling of coral propagation and out-planting practices. Incorporating ecological monitoring into restoration practices has long been acknowledged as a vital component of reef restoration projects – thereby demonstrating success in relation to improved ecosystem function within impacted reefs. As such, one goal for this tourism-led stewardship project was to identify whether and how activity increased coral cover and target species populations within high-value tourism sites. We therefore investigated coral cover and relative cover of commonly out-planted genera within seven tourism sites over six reefs on the northern GBR via benthic surveys, both prior to the commencement of out-planting activities in August 2019, and again in August 2021. Over this 24-month time frame, out-planting intensity varied between 3970 and 84 out-plants within marked areas (with no propagation activity conducted within corresponding control areas) across sites. Within all out-planting sites, > 65 % of out-plants were Acropora species. One reef showed a significant increase in hard coral cover – 10.3 % (p = 0.016) – at out-planting areas compared to control areas by August 2021. At this same reef, proportions of total coral cover attributed to Acropora species were higher within the out-planting site compared to the control site. Despite variability in coral community responses observed across reef site/operators, we have demonstrated how coral propagation via this tourism-led stewardship model has the potential to increase hard coral cover within some out-planting sites, particularly of commonly out-planted genera.

Considerations of Local Wisdom from Sabu Raijua Regency (Indonesia) for Coral Reef Conservation for Responsible Management Measures

Coral reefs have economic benefits economic, ecological, and socio-cultural benefits, providing vital climate change mitigation and adaptation ecosystem services that require conservation efforts but are increasingly under threat. The strategy for managing coral reef ecosystems, among others, is prepared by taking into account the sustainability of the ecosystem and considering the wise values of the local community. using secondary data the study aims to identify and explain local wisdom in maintaining the conservation of coral reef ecosystems and sustainable coastal planning whose results can help local governments, and communities in the development of coral reef tourism as well as helping to provide a frame of reference for policymakers to consider in coral reef conservation in Sabu Raijua district, part of the Savu Sea Marine National Park area Local Wisdom in maintaining the conservation of coral reef ecosystems includes Ruju Peluru, Kati Dana, Kowa Hole, Panadahi. Local Wisdom Kowa Hole and Panadahi are in active status. Revitalization efforts are necessary to revive local content based on culture and policies that involve the community in a participatory manner so that the implementation process for coral reef ecosystem preservation can grow and develop again in the pattern of community life, especially in the Savu Sea Marine National Park area

Scuba Diver Environmental Orientation and Perceptions of Diving Impact Management on Coral Reefs: Evidence from Sri Lanka

Scuba diving has now become a regular feature of coral reef tourism and Sri Lanka has the potential to become a popular destination for scuba divers. Scuba divers were interviewed at two main diving destinations on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka: Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna. Most respondents were "experienced" divers. Enjoyment, viewing marine life in their natural environments, and adventure were the main motives of divers at these destinations. In general, the perceptions of respondents on scuba diving as an ecotourism activity were positive across all experience levels. The self-rating experience positively influenced divers' responsible underwater behavior. As such, diving operators must be aware of the potential damage to coral due to loss of control/buoyancy underwater and intentional touching of coral reefs by less experienced/novice divers. Experienced divers with strong environmental consciousness supported conservation-oriented reef management actions. Conversely, experienced divers were resistant to management actions that directly or indirectly compromised their dive experience. Less experienced divers did not favor management actions that restrict them from accessing healthy coral reefs. Respondents expressed a general concern regarding the negative environmental impacts associated with an increase in visitors to sensitive marine habitats.

Microeconomic adaptation to severe climate disturbances on Australian coral reefs

Coral reefs are increasingly affected by climate-induced disturbances that are magnified by increasing ocean temperatures. Loss of coral reefs strongly affects people whose livelihoods and wellbeing depend on the ecosystem services reefs provide. Yet the effects of coral loss and the capacity of people and businesses to adapt to it are poorly understood, particularly in the private sector. To address this gap, we surveyed about half (57 of 109) of Australian reef tourism operators to understand how they were affected by and responded to severe impacts from bleaching and cyclones. Reef restoration and spatial diversification were the primary responses to severe bleaching impacts, while for cyclone-impacts coping measures and product diversification were more important. Restoration responses were strongly linked to the severity of impacts. Our findings provide empirical support for the importance of response diversity, spatial heterogeneity, and learning for social-ecological resilience.

Going the extra (s)mile: Countermeasures to emotional labour dysregulation in Australian reef tourism

Emotional labour is important to the performance of interactive service work in the tourism industry. However, emotional labour dysregulation, defined as a difficulty in managing emotions in daily routines, may lead to negative outcomes. This study aimed to fill an important gap by gaining a better understanding of perceived countermeasures for effectively managing emotional labour dysregulation in tourism workers. Using snowball sampling to recruit participants, eight focus groups were conducted with 42 reef workers in Cairns (Australia), using a novel scenario-based technique for knowledge elicitation. Findings outline countermeasures to emotional labour dysregulation according to two themes: (1) individual-level strategies, and (2) broader system factors. Both themes deal with the demands of emotional labour. Knowledge about countermeasures to emotional labour dysregulation has the potential to support employees and in turn influence positive tourism experiences which can help the industry to achieve business success and positive customer reviews.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on coral reef fishes at eco-tourism sites in Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a global lockdown in mid-2020, leading to a rapid decline in international travel and tourism. In French Polynesia, marine-based tourism activities ceased in March 2020 with the suspension of international flights (i.e., 45 days - between 20th March and 04th May 2020), slowly restarting between May–July as domestic and international visitors returned. The impacts of this rapid change in human activity at reef tourism sites on associated reef fishes was examined at Bora-Bora Island through underwater surveys of five control and nine eco-tourism sites. Our results showed that fish density significantly increased from March to May (i.e., the overall density of fishes increased by 143% and harvested species by 215%), but returned to pre-lockdown levels by August 2020. At the usually busy eco-tourism sites, fish diversity, notably of piscivores, omnivores, and benthic feeders, was higher in the absence of tourists. The impact observed is almost certainly related to short term changes in fish behavior, as any density fluctuations at the population level are unlikely to have happened over such a short time frame. Overall, these findings highlight the influence of human activities on fish communities and underline the need for further research to evaluate the environmental impacts of eco-tourism.

The evaluation of culture performance and mantle coloration of two boring giant clam (Tridacna crocea) strains

The boring giant clam (Tridacna crocea) is the smallest species of the Tridacna genus, but they strongly express mantle color polymorphism. These color morphs represent potential genetic resources for aquaculture to supply the aquarium market, and the evaluation of their genetic and production characteristics is important. Wild yellow-green clams were consistently larger than blue clams in both the Huangyan Island and Zhaoshu Island populations in the Southern China Sea. To determine the relationship between mantle color and phenotypic traits, blue, yellow-green and control strains (various colors) were constructed and cultured for 1.5 years at an experimental station in Sanya, Hainan Island Province. All three strains had a high fertilization rate, but the survival to D larvae of the blue strain was significantly lower than the other two strains. Larval survival rate was over 85 % for all three strains, but the metamorphosis rate of the control strain was significantly lower than that of the other two strains. During the grow-out stage, the survival rate of the control strain from day 120 to day 480 was highest and that of the blue strain was lowest of the three groups. After metamorphosis, growth divergence of the three strains varied until day 120. Consistent growth trends appeared from day 120 to day 180, with the yellow-green strain largest, followed by the control strain. The process of mantle coloration was divided into three stages: the non-coloring period (day 0–60), the coloring period (day 60–180), and the stable expression period (day 180 onward). The yellow-green and blue mantle colors are genetically stable. This study provides a base for analysis of mantle color heredity and the genetic breeding of giant clams, and has great potential applications in the aquaculture industry, aquarium market and the coral reef tourism.

Causes and consequences of sleep loss and fatigue: The worker perspective in the coral reef tourism industry

This study provides an in-depth understanding of the causes and consequences of sleep loss and fatigue in the coral reef tourism industry. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, data were obtained from eight focus groups conducted in Far North Queensland with 42 reef tourism employees. Analysis involved identifying and inductively coding any emergent categories of the causes and consequences of sleep loss and fatigue. Findings are applied to Baum, Kralj, Robinson, and Solnet's (2016) taxonomy of tourism research to highlight where the causes of sleep loss and fatigue originate. This reflects individual, occupational and industry-level causes of sleep loss and fatigue which workers indicate have consequences for their wellbeing, and the safety and efficacy of their operations. Implications for the broader tourism industry are discussed.

Coral growth, survivorship and return-on-effort within nurseries at high-value sites on the Great Barrier Reef.

Coral reefs are deteriorating worldwide prompting reef managers and stakeholders to increasingly explore new management tools. Following back-to-back bleaching in 2016/2017, multi-taxa coral nurseries were established in 2018 for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) to aid reef maintenance and restoration at a "high-value" location-Opal Reef-frequented by the tourism industry. Various coral species (n = 11) were propagated within shallow water (ca. 4-7m) platforms installed across two sites characterised by differing environmental exposure-one adjacent to a deep-water channel (Blue Lagoon) and one that was relatively sheltered (RayBan). Growth rates of coral fragments placed onto nurseries were highly variable across taxa but generally higher at Blue Lagoon (2.1-10.8 cm2 month-1 over 12 months) compared to RayBan (0.6-6.6 cm2 month-1 over 9 months). Growth at Blue Lagoon was largely independent of season, except for Acropora tenuis and Acropora hyacinthus, where growth rates were 15-20% higher for December 2018-July 2019 ("warm season") compared to August-December 2018 ("cool season"). Survivorship across all 2,536 nursery fragments was ca. 80-100%, with some species exhibiting higher survivorship at Blue Lagoon (Acropora loripes, Porites cylindrica) and others at RayBan (A. hyacinthus, Montipora hispida). Parallel measurements of growth and survivorship were used to determine relative return-on-effort (RRE) scores as an integrated metric of "success" accounting for life history trade-offs, complementing the mutually exclusive assessment of growth or survivorship. RRE scores within sites (across species) were largely driven by growth, whereas RRE scores between sites were largely driven by survivorship. The initial nursery phase of coral propagation therefore appears useful to supplement coral material naturally available for stewardship of frequently visited Great Barrier Reef tourism (high-value) sites, but further assessment is needed to evaluate how well the growth rates and survival for nursery grown corals translate once material is outplanted.

Coral damage by recreational diving activities in a Marine Protected Area of India: Unaccountability leading to ‘tragedy of the not so commons’

Globally, coral reefs have drastically degraded due to local and global environmental stressors. Concurrently, coral reef tourism is rapidly growing in developing economies, which is one of many anthropogenic stressors impacting reefs. At the Malvan Marine Sanctuary, a Marine Protected Area (MPA) on the West coast of India, we investigated the impact of recreational diving on the reef from 2016 to 2019. To evaluate the diver's underwater behavior, a novel approach was used, wherein the video-log broadcasting website www.youtube.com was perused. Evidential proof substantiates heavy physical damage to corals because of recreational diving activity, which may lead to the collapse of coral habitat if it continues unabated. This resource depletion ironically elevates the economy of dependents averting consequences due to lost corals, thus making this a ‘tragedy’ for corals which are not meant to be ‘commons’. The study asserts need for proactive conservation efforts with stringent implementation and restoration initiatives in this MPA.

Incorporating Integrative Perspectives into Impact Reduction Management in a Reef Recreation Area

The act of balancing two sustainability goals, the conservation of ecosystem services, and allowing access to reef recreational areas is a big challenge for the management of marine protected areas (MPAs). This study evaluates tourist preferences towards integrative aspects of an impact reduction program in a reef recreation area. We find that by integrating the marine police institution, providing educational training, setting up control of the number of divers, setting up control of the experience area, and taking boats to the snorkeling point are the key factors. We also identify the features that affect the heterogeneity of preferences with impact reduction management in the MPAs as follows: (1) monthly income; (2) type of tourist; and (3) joining conservation groups, and the integrated program generate the highest welfare value. These results can be applied to create a suitable management strategy for sustainable reef tourism that meets the needs of stakeholders.

Recent use of habitat service value for tourism and impacts on coral reefs in the target destinations in Southern Vietnam

Coral reef-based tourism has developed quickly in Southern Vietnam, taking into account the target locations namely Cu Lao Cham islands, Nha Trang bay, Ninh Thuan and Phu Quoc islands during last decade. Among them, Nha Trang bay had longer history of marine tourism, starting with inshore development and expanding to islands in and around the bay. Tourist activities in Cu Lao Cham islands and Ninh Thuan were developed in linkages with MPA development and management. Meanwhile, Phu Quoc had become a new destination and drawn huge investments for extensive development of tourism in the islands. Economic value that was brought from use of coral reefs for tourism has increased significantly. For example, the payment of entry fee to Cu Lao Cham MPA has quickly increased year by year, reaching approximately 700,000 USD in 2018 and that in Ninh Thuan around 50,000 in 2017 and up to 200,000 USD in 2018. Reclamation for infrastructure building on inshore land and islands was considered as a serious impact, resulting in loss of terrestrial and underwater habitats (e.g. loss of Melaleuca forest in Phu Quoc islands or seagrass beds and coral reefs in Nha Trang bay) and increased sediment loading to coral reefs. Overexploitation of living resources for high food and souvenir demands occurred at all areas, leading to modification of communities, poorness and uncertainty for resource recruitment. Among these tree areas, Phu Quoc waters are the most vulnerable to coral bleaching due to increased surface temperature with records of mass bleaching in 2010 and 2016. Although MPAs existed in all study areas, role of conservationists in developing coral reef tourism was significantly considerable only in Cu Lao Cham case but poor in others. Local managers and businesses should pay more attention to sustainability in order to ensure not only coral reef conservation but also long-term benefits of local communities and tourist sector itself.