Page 26 - IB April 24

Tourism

PROTECTING TOURISM’S
BIGGEST DRAWCARD

The Counting Coral team installing the Sculptural Coral Gene Bank at Vomo Island.

By Prerna Priyanka But Dr Currie sees opportunities for change: “Tourism
developments, if well-planned and well-managed, can lead to
Pacific Island nations have joined a landmark collaboration more positive impacts.”
aimed at ensuring marine-based tourism adds to, rather than Dr Currie advocates for a shift from conventional industry
undermines, conservation efforts. metrics like tourist arrivals, to more holistic indicators that
The initiative to develop Pacific Marine Tourism capture the economic, social, and environmental impacts of
Guidelines and Code of Conduct is led by Tourism Recreation tourism. Initiatives such as new sustainable tourism strategies
Conservation (TRC Tourism) and supported by the Pacific in a number of Pacific Islands are local examples of this shift.
Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific For example in Tonga, Spoelder says regulations are likely
Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). to improve upon guidelines for responsible whale watching
SPTO Sustainable Tourism Manager, Christina Gale says practices, including maintaining a safe distance from whales
the Pacific is “confronting significant threats to marine to minimise disturbance and avoiding behaviours that could
biodiversity due to tourism activities. It’s crucial that we harm the animals or their habitats.
proactively take measures to safeguard our precious marine Similarly, Vanuatu’s code of conduct is likely to provide
ecosystems.” instructions for tourism operators and visitors on how to
She says the new resources will provide comprehensive interact with dugongs without causing harm to the species,
guidance for marine tourism operators, governments, and such as refraining from feeding or touching them and
stakeholders. They prioritise the protection of key marine respecting their natural behaviours.
species such as whales, dolphins, dugongs, sharks, manta
rays, corals and seabirds. Financing sustainability
Penny Spoelder, Senior Associate at TRC Tourism, notes that Financing mechanisms tailored to support sustainable
in many cases, there is limited information about the impact marine tourism projects are also emerging, as well as new
of tourism on specific species. But she adds that in certain solutions like parametric insurance for natural assets such as
areas, there have been reports of marine species changing coral reefs, which aim to address the financial risks associated
their behaviours in response to tourism activities. In some with environmental degradation.
cases, this has even led to the closure of tourism operations. However, Dr Currie acknowledges the challenge
“Coral bleaching, decline in turtle populations, and of mobilising large-scale financing in the context of
disruption of migratory routes for whales and dolphins are smaller Pacific Island nations, emphasising the need for
just some of the challenges we’re facing,” she added. comprehensive risk management strategies and economic
Dr Sara Currie, Senior Tourism Expert for ADB’s Pacific diversification to enhance sector resilience.
Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), adds that rising The journey towards conservation still faces hurdles.
ocean temperatures are adding to the stress on marine Despite the abundance of marine tourism activities in the
environments. Pacific, there is a lack of coordination and centralised
“Issues such as changes in ocean currents, acidification, and reporting of environmental data.
unsustainable fishing practices compound these challenges.” “To minimise the impact of new tourism developments

26 Islands Business, April 2024