This review essay aims to synthesise the current understanding of socio-economic and social impacts of marine ecotourism on the wellbeing of local communities by discussing the findings presented in recent empirical research papers. This review considers studies conducting economic impact evaluations on shark diving and whale watching, as well as social impact studies of tourism development in protected areas.
Firstly, the key findings of empirical case studies are presented and analysed, focusing on how these argue for the marketization of marine resources through ecotourism either as a development opportunity or as a means for species conservation. This is followed by an analysis on how this form of environmental governance involves novel forms of power between communities and government institutions. This review argues that marine ecotourism as a means of neoliberal conservation presents opportunities as well as constraints for environmental justice.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Socio-Economic Opportunities of Marine Ecotourism
3 Ecotourism: The Holy Grail for Community Development?
4 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This review essay aims to synthesize the current understanding of the socio-economic and social impacts of marine ecotourism on the wellbeing of local communities by analyzing findings from recent empirical research, while critically evaluating the neoliberal conservation narrative surrounding these practices.
- The economic evaluation of marine ecotourism as a conservation tool.
- Opportunities and constraints for local community development.
- The power dynamics between government institutions and local stakeholders.
- The environmental impacts of tourism on marine species and ecosystems.
- The critical perspective on neoliberal forms of environmental governance.
Excerpt from the Publication
2 Socio-Economic Opportunities of Marine Ecotourism
As a widely underestimated alternative to whaling - a commercial activity that almost vanished under the moratorium inflicted by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) – whale watching is increasingly gaining popularity with the potential to generate socio-economic benefits around the world (Cisneros-Montemayor et al., 2010; Kuo et al., 2012). Researchers emphasize whale watching as an alternative livelihood approach, particularly to remote island communities that struggle to sustain their subsistence. Based on the long history of interaction with humpback whales in Tonga, Kessler and Harcourt (2012) see ecotourism as a valuable approach to counter pro-whaling initiatives and providing additional income to local communities. Orams (2013) demonstrates the increasing influence of whales as a tourist attraction in Tonga. The economic benefits through direct expenditure on tours, but also the indirect expenditures of tourists that specifically came to interact with whales, as well as the induced expenditures of whale-based tourism businesses in the local community, i.e. through accommodation or transport, have a profound effect on the local economy. While the author acknowledges the shortcomings in the calculation regarding the neglect of costs associated with whale-watching ecotourism, the estimates considered in this study indicates the importance of whales in the area. However, the study raised the issue of leakages of tourist expenses, as most businesses are not owned by Tongans (Orams, 2013). Economic benefits may therefore not be retained in the local community and are not available for development, leading to the inequitable distribution of income (Wiranatha et al., 2017).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the research context, highlighting the shift toward neoliberal conservation and the need to critically assess the socio-economic and social impacts of marine ecotourism on coastal communities.
2 Socio-Economic Opportunities of Marine Ecotourism: This chapter analyzes empirical case studies regarding whale watching and shark diving to determine their economic contribution to local communities and their role as alternatives to extractive activities.
3 Ecotourism: The Holy Grail for Community Development?: This chapter evaluates the social impacts of ecotourism, discussing power imbalances, displacement of local communities, and the often ignored cultural value of traditional livelihoods.
4 Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings, arguing that while marine ecotourism holds potential, it often exacerbates existing inequalities and requires more profound, community-supported governance structures.
Keywords
Marine ecotourism, socio-economic impacts, neoliberal conservation, local communities, community development, whale watching, shark diving, environmental governance, wellbeing, resource management, marine protected areas, power dynamics, social impacts, coastal livelihoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The work provides a critical review of how marine ecotourism affects the wellbeing of local communities, focusing on both economic opportunities and social challenges in the global south.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The main themes include the economic valuation of wildlife tourism, the role of ecotourism in species conservation, and the socio-political impacts on coastal communities.
What is the central research objective?
The objective is to synthesize existing empirical findings to determine whether marine ecotourism truly serves as a "triple-win" for development, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
This study is a review essay that analyzes and synthesizes findings from recent empirical research papers and case studies to provide a critical academic perspective.
What aspects are addressed in the main chapters?
The main body examines the economic potential of whale and shark tourism, as well as the deeper social issues, such as disempowerment and the "ocean grabbing" phenomena in protected areas.
Which keywords best describe the work?
Key terms include marine ecotourism, neoliberal conservation, socio-economic impact, community development, and environmental justice.
How does the author view the "win-win" narrative of ecotourism?
The author remains critical of the "triple-win" narrative, arguing that it often ignores the negative social outcomes and inequalities caused by top-down conservation strategies.
What role do local communities play in the context of marine ecotourism?
Local communities are often treated as objects of change rather than active participants, leading to potential resistance and resentment when their traditional values and needs are disregarded.
Why is the governance of marine resources highlighted?
Proper governance is identified as essential for ensuring that economic benefits remain within the local economy rather than leaking out to wealthy elites or foreign entities.
- Citar trabajo
- Giulia Isabelle Neuhaus (Autor), 2020, Critical Perspectives on Ecotourism. Socio-Economic and Social Impacts of Marine Ecotourism on the Wellbeing of Local Communities, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/991981
