Tourism, Reef Condition and Visitor Satisfaction in Watamu Marine National Park, Kenya.
Reef-based tourism is known to put environmental pressure on reefs but its consequences on the ecological and economic sustainability of Marine Protected Areas is unknown. Previous research suggests that, if reef conditions decline, then tourism on a reef will also suffer, but is this always the case? This study investigated the interaction between tourism impact, reef condition and visitor satisfaction in Watamu Marine National Park, Kenya. A wide range of data were collected, including benthic ecological variables, visitor counts, visitor behaviour while visiting Watamu’s main reef and questionnaire responses regarding visitor satisfaction. It was found that the reef visited by tourists manifested observable damage and differences in ecological character, which potentially compromise its ecological sustainability. Despite these observations, most tourists did not notice the changes or were happy with their experience and hence the economic sustainability of the park appears secure. However, the future trajectory of reef condition and tourism on the reef is complex and difficult to predict, which could lead to a trade-off between conservation and income-generating goals. A potential solution is presented whereby a synergy between both goals is maintained.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Contribution biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2013
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| Subjects: | Coral reefs, Tourism, Conservation, Reef condition, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/7759 |
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