Living Blue Planet Report

Chapter 2: Our ocean under pressure page 31

Tourism

Tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the

world. Coastal and marine tourism is one of its most important

sectors and a major component of thriving coastal communities.

This growth, however, can bring with it major environmental,

cultural, social and economic implications. Careful attention needs

to be paid to these impacts.

Globally, tourism and related economic activities generate 9.8

per cent of GDP and employ 277 million people, or 1 in every 11 jobs

(WTTC, 2013). The sector continues to grow fast, especially in some

of the world’s least developed countries.

Although tourism can be an opportunity for sustainable

development, poorly planned development of hotels and resorts in

coastal areas can result in habitat destruction, pollution, and other

negative impacts on local communities as well as biodiversity.

The increased popularity of cruise ships can also adversely

affect the marine environment. Carrying up to 6,000 passengers

and 2,000 crew, these enormous floating towns are a major source

of marine pollution through the dumping of garbage and untreated

sewage at sea, and the release of other shipping-related pollutants

Figure 22: (Copeland, 2008).
The impacts of tourism
on marine health

Scuba diving

and snorkeling

Physical damage.

Kicking up sediment

Marinas

Pollution from oils and

paint residues, pollution

from fuelling

Motor boating and yachting

Nutrient enrichment from sewage

disposal. Pollution from fuelling

Seafood

consumption

Over-exploitation

of high-priced resource

species (snapper, grouper,

spiny lobster, conch)

Cruise ships

Nutrient enrichment

from illegal sewage

disposal. Litter from

illegal or accidental

solid waste disposal

Demand for

marine curiosities

Exploitation of rare,

endangered or vulnerable

species such as shells,

black coral, turtles

Airport construction

Increased sedimentation

from dredging and infilling

Resort development

Increased sedimentation, resort

operation, sewage disposal,

habitat destruction

Artificial beaches

Increased sedimentation

(from sand removal or from

beach instability)

Fishing

Overexploitation

of reef fish stocks

9.8 %

Global GDP

generated by

tourism and

related activities