Mark Reamer, C. Macdonald, J. Wester, Meryl Shriver-Rice
{"title":"Whales for Sale: A Content Analysis of American Whale Watching Operators’ Websites","authors":"Mark Reamer, C. Macdonald, J. Wester, Meryl Shriver-Rice","doi":"10.3727/154427323x16894009158495","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323x16894009158495","url":null,"abstract":"Digital media, particularly websites, have become a critical component of wildlife tourism experiences, especially during the pre-tour information-seeking stage. With a focus on whale watching, this study used a grounded theory approach to identify, categorize, and investigate the common themes, text, and images used on 178 whale watching operator websites across six geographic regions in the United States. The results of a content analysis suggest that operators, who are predominantly small business owners, focus their marketing strategies on elements of their tour offerings and operator characteristics to distinguish themselves from competitors rather than emphasizing the whales themselves, conservation actions, or educational opportunities, catering to a segment of entertainment-oriented rather than sustainability-oriented guests. Ecolabel certified operators in the sample mentioned conservation and educational topics more, though the information provided could still use improvement. We discuss implications and opportunities for the continued study of media related to whale watching and other marine wildlife tourism activities.","PeriodicalId":35146,"journal":{"name":"Tourism in Marine Environments","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69754909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring new Dive Tourist Cohorts on the Great Barrier Reef","authors":"T. Cummins, Anja Pabel, B. Prideaux","doi":"10.3727/154427323x16857792886183","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323x16857792886183","url":null,"abstract":"This research note reports on previously undescribed cohorts of dive tourists and contributes to the current body of knowledge about dive tourist segments. Findings are based on conversations with 138 passengers who volunteered comments whilst returning from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) on commercial day-trip and liveaboard (overnight) vessels. The study identified six new dive tourist cohorts. The findings highlight the importance that travel companions play in the decision-making of dive tourists with implications for customer value creation. The findings also may indicate an emerging trend in the adventure tourism market where participants are unlikely to become dedicated enthusiasts in adventure activities such as scuba diving. These insights also have implications for the dive tourism industry as a potential way to increase dive tourist numbers.","PeriodicalId":35146,"journal":{"name":"Tourism in Marine Environments","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69755190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Issues affecting tourists’ satisfaction at Saint Martin's Island, Bangladesh: Empirical evidence and suggestions","authors":"Ashikur Rahman Avi","doi":"10.3727/154427323x16835293069953","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323x16835293069953","url":null,"abstract":"Tourist satisfaction has a significant impact on the survival and competitiveness of tourism businesses. However, issues affecting tourists’ satisfaction in relation to the developmental aspects of a destination remain largely ignored in major tourism destinations in Bangladesh. Accordingly, this study explores major issues affecting tourist satisfaction in an emerging travel destination of Bangladesh. Within a case study research design, this study collects data from Saint Martin Island, the only coral island in Bangladesh. Primary data have been collected via 25 semi-structured interviews while a variety of publications and unpublished materials in reference to the research objective shave been reviewed as part of the secondary data source. The collected data were analyzed by employing thematic analysis and content analysis techniques. The findings reveal that during their stay at Saint Martin Island, tourists’ satisfaction is mostly affected by several issues including available attractions, accommodation facilities, touristic facilities, transportation, restaurant, and service quality. The identified issues must be considered before developing a tourist-friendly environment by catering to tourists' expected quality for products and services. On this note, this paper lays down some policy implications that could be helpful for tourism policymakers, government tourism officials, local tourism bodies, and hospitality service providers.","PeriodicalId":35146,"journal":{"name":"Tourism in Marine Environments","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69755120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Identifying risks for overseas-born beachgoers and suggesting future preventative strategies: a qualitative study based on interviews with 20 lifesavers from Australian tourist beaches","authors":"Masaki Shibata","doi":"10.3727/154427323x16835336574017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323x16835336574017","url":null,"abstract":"Background: While Australia sees a high proportion of coastal drownings involving overseas-born beachgoers every year, it should not be forgotten that professional lifeguards and surf lifesavers carry out about 9000 rescues and 1800,000 preventative actions every year. Given these figures, lifeguards and surf lifesavers would be assumed to have ways of identifying overseas-born beachgoers who are not familiar with Australian beaches and to take special precautions in relation to them. Aim: This study aims to explore the ways by which surf lifesavers are able to identify overseas-born beachgoers who have no or little understanding of Australian beaches, and identify the surf lifesavers’ perceptions as to the effectiveness of currently available public beach safety signage, as well as educational messages communicated by the popular TV show, Bondi Rescue. Method: One-on-one in-depth interviews were carried out with 20 lifesavers from three popular Australian tourist beaches –Bondi and Tamarama beaches in Sydney, and Glenelg beach in Adelaide. The semi-structured interviews were conducted using a fixed list of questions, and a code analysis was conducted employing the program NVivo 12 (version 12.70).Results: Based on the interview data, surf lifesavers identified a number of characteristics that suggested a lack of familiarity with Australian beaches and differentiated overseas-born beachgoers from regular beachgoers, including wearing jeans near water, particular ways of approaching the water, and the use of inflatable toys. More than half of the lifesavers said that in general beachgoers were more likely to swim outside the flags, but some said that beachgoers stay between the flags because professional lifeguards and surf lifesavers enforce this regulation. Many lifesavers cast doubts on the effectiveness of public signage, and a majority singled out the popular TV show Bondi Rescue as a powerful tool for revealing the real dangers of Australian beaches. One interview, however, warned that Bondi Rescue might lead to them is understanding that “all” Australian beaches are patrolled and, therefore, “safe”.Conclusion: It is important to address safety issues such as the fact that wearing heavy clothing and using inflatable toys can cause problems on Australian beaches with dangerous waves and rip currents. Effective ways of delivering safety messages to the public, especially to overseas-born beachgoers, still need to be developed.","PeriodicalId":35146,"journal":{"name":"Tourism in Marine Environments","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69755128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessing experiences in diving recreation and their relation to proenvironmental behaviour and attitude: a study of divers in South African kelp forests","authors":"S. Lucrezi, Michael du Plessis","doi":"10.3727/154427322x16475700356817","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3727/154427322x16475700356817","url":null,"abstract":"Recreational activities in marine environments have many benefits, such as physical and mental well-being, contact with nature and nature connectedness. These benefits can translate into other positive outcomes, including pro-environmental behaviour and attitude and ocean stewardship. Cold-water recreation including diving (scuba and free diving) is increasingly popular, yet its phenomenology is understudied. The available research, however, shows that there is great potential for cold-water diving to contribute to those benefits that can result in a “marine mindset”. This qualitative study aimed to add to the body of knowledge regarding cold-water recreation, by investigating through a blanket assessment the motivations and experiences of independent divers in the kelp forests of Cape Town, South Africa, and their putative influence on pro-environmental attitude and behaviour. One hundred divers were interviewed telephonically in 2020 and 2021, and data were extracted and analysed using both thematic and statistical analysis. Divers were motivated by experiences including hedonism, sensorial; spirituality, reverence and gratitude; learning; connection with nature; well-being; challenge; escapism; flow; and socialisation and communitas. Specific motivations and experiences resulted in pro-environmental behaviours and attitudes. The results of this study confirmed the value of kelp diving as an activity with numerous benefits to people and marine environments and were used to delineate recommendations for marketing and management that can foster the growth of cold-water diving as a sustainable form of marine-based recreation.","PeriodicalId":35146,"journal":{"name":"Tourism in Marine Environments","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69754680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"SEGMENTS OF TOURISTS’ BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSES TO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC WASTE AT BEACHES","authors":"I. Adam","doi":"10.3727/154427322x16548495694333","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3727/154427322x16548495694333","url":null,"abstract":"Though single-use plastic waste remains a global challenge, there is little knowledge on tourists’ behavioural responses to single-use plastic waste. Underpinned by behaviourism, and with a sample of 603 tourists in Ghana and analysed with the two-step cluster technique, this study characterises tourists’ behavioural response to single-use plastic waste. Three segments of tourists’ behavioural responses to single-use plastic waste emerged, namely leavers, swappers, and unresponsives. The leavers react to single-use plastic waste by leaving the beach and not visiting any beach at the destination while the swappers substitute the beach with others. The unresponsives are unconcerned and do not react to the presence of single-use plastic waste. The three segments are characterised by unique environmental values and some socio-demographic and travel characteristics including sex, age, educational attainment, type of tourists and repeat visit status. The implications of these findings in the context of sustainable coastal destination management are discussed.","PeriodicalId":35146,"journal":{"name":"Tourism in Marine Environments","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69754360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Conservation and sustainability of coastal city tourism in the advent of Seal Level Rise in Durban, SouthAfrica","authors":"Aphelele Mgadle, K. Dube, Limpho Lekaota","doi":"10.3727/154427322x16599399156575","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3727/154427322x16599399156575","url":null,"abstract":"Given the socio-economic significance of oceans in South Africa and the threat of climate change, it is vital to understand the effects on coastlines and tourism. With very little known about the implications of sea level rise in Southern Africa, this study investigates its impact on tourism and conservation of coastlines in Durban, South Africa. The study conducted in 2021 used primary data collected through key informant interviews (n10), an online questionnaire (303), direct field observations and archival data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Trend analysis for climate data was done using Mann Kendal Trend Analysis, while the content and thematic analysis were used to assess qualitative data. The study found that the compounded effect of sea level rise of 1.49 mm/year in Durban between 1971 and 2018 poses a threat to the beach and coastal tourism. The compounded impact of sea level rise, sea surges, coastal storms and high tides often results in high levels of beach erosion and coastal flooding, threatening tourism infrastructure. The municipality has embarked on a beach nourishment programme, dune restoration and coastal defence mechanisms to preserve and conserve the beachfront to ensure coastal tourism sustainability.","PeriodicalId":35146,"journal":{"name":"Tourism in Marine Environments","volume":"104-B 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69754427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Can Sustainability Influence Loyalty to Island Destinations? The case of Gallura, Sardinia","authors":"Gianluca Goffi, G. Chiappa","doi":"10.3727/154427322x16639203666723","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3727/154427322x16639203666723","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this paper is to analyse whether sustainability influences the loyalty to island-based tourism destinations. A sample of tourists who have visited Santa Teresa di Gallura (Sardinia, Italy) was surveyed to evaluate if the destination is meeting their demand for sustainable practices, and whether sustainability affects their intention to revisit the destination in the medium term. For the purposes of the study, an importance-performance analysis and a principal component analysis were performed, followed by an ordered logit model. Findings show that environmental preservation is one of the key features to be addressed. Results also show that sustainability affects tourists’ loyalty to the destination. Contributions to the actual body of knowledge and managerial implications are discussed and suggestions for further research are given.","PeriodicalId":35146,"journal":{"name":"Tourism in Marine Environments","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69754548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"DISABILITY INCLUSION IN DIVING TOURISM: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE INDUSTRY IN SOUTH AFRICA","authors":"S. Lucrezi, Tawanda Makuyana","doi":"10.3727/154427322x16678075188517","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3727/154427322x16678075188517","url":null,"abstract":"Disability inclusion in diving tourism is a relevant topic of study, considering the documented benefits to disabled communities, the growing demand for inclusive diving tourism opportunities globally, and the limited information on the status quo. This qualitative study assessed the perspectives on disability inclusion in diving tourism among 28 diving industry members (who were not disabled divers) and one representative (who was a disabled diver) from the largest disabled diving organisation in South Africa, which is an important diving destination internationally. Benefits, challenges, involvement, and specific perspectives in inclusive diving tourism were captured through thematic analysis of participants’ narratives. The results confirmed the multidimensional benefits of diving to disabled people and highlighted barriers to inclusive diving tourism related to logistics, knowledge, awareness and attitude of the industry, marketing, and collaboration between stakeholders. This study drew useful recommendations to enhance disability inclusion in diving tourism and exploit its potential for the development of this industry.","PeriodicalId":35146,"journal":{"name":"Tourism in Marine Environments","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69754614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}