Best Practices for Adventure Tourism Tour Operators in Marine Environments June 3 rd, 2008 Christina Heyniger, ATTA Associate

Context: Global Tourism & Adventure Tourism Growth Specific Assets and Vulnerabilities in the Philippines Projections: Environmental and Human Impacts Specific Operational Good Practices  Anchoring  Boat Maintenance  Wildlife viewing  Snorkeling  Hiking Agenda

Asia Pacific is the fastest inbound and outbound tourism region in the world. International tourist arrivals in Asia Pacific increased by more than 10% in 2007 after recording an 8% rise in Asia Pacific Tourism Continues to Grow Asia Pacific Arrivals up 10% in 2007

UNWTO reports 15%- 20% current annual growth of nature based tourism on the international market Adventure Tourism Opportunities

Big Picture: Marine/ Coastal Areas and Climate Change Climate change causes loss of marine life and revenues –Wall Street Journal July 2007: “The Pacific islands between Hawaii and the Philippines are discovering how the rising ocean, possibly because of global warming, can affect an area. ‘First, the beaches and coral reefs disappear, then the tourists.’” What Tour Operators Can Do: –Educate visitors –Offset carbon cost of tours –Develop and implement sustainable purchasing guidelines –Improve operational efficiencies –Support marine environment monitoring and research programs

 Second largest archipelago in the world, with islands  Mountains with narrow and extensive coastal lowlands  Cordillera Mountains of Northern Luzon: rich biodiversity and spectacular ancient rice terraces  Northern Palawan, known as the “Last Frontier of the Philippines," with dozens of tiny islands of sheer limestone cliffs  Pristine white sand beaches and teeming coral reefs Philippines’ Wealth of Adventure Tourism Resources Cultural Visits Surfing Kayaking Rock Climbing Snorkeling Trekking

Good practices in marine environments must take into consideration a range of distinct ecosystems:  Deep sea areas  Shore areas  Near shore areas  Coral reefs  Rocky reefs  Sea bottom habitats Sensitive marine/coastal regions require tour operators observe “good practice”

Environmental and Human Impacts Pure Beaches Healthy Coral Reefs Biodiversity Cultural Heritage 2006: 8% Growth in Asia Pacific

Pure Beaches Healthy Coral Reefs Biodiversity Cultural Heritage 2007: 10% Growth in Asia Pacific Environmental and Human Impacts

Philippines Projected Arrivals 2011: 6.2 Million Pure Beaches Healthy Coral Reefs Biodiversity Cultural Heritage Environmental and Human Impacts

Pure Beaches Healthy Coral Reefs Biodiversity Cultural Heritage Environmental and Human Impacts Assume 5% growth from : 8,200,725

Pure beaches Healthy Coral Reefs Biodiversity Cultural Heritage Assume 5% growth to 2020: 12,049,556 Environmental and Human Impacts

Why Adopt Good Practices? Contribute to marine conservation - protect tourism resources Preserve ecosystems such as coral reefs that protect coastal communities from waves and storm damage Support economic development in coastal communities Appeal to discerning travelers who seek responsible suppliers Adopting good practices can support business in multiple ways:

Operational Good Practice In the following slides we’ll go into some specific operational good practices for adventure tour operators: Anchoring Boat Operation Boat Maintenance Hiking Wildlife Viewing Snorkeling, Diving, Snuba Seafood Consumption and Souvenir Purchasing

Anchoring –Coral reefs –Sandy gravel bottoms –Rocky reefs –Anchors and their chains sweep the ocean floor, destroying slow moving animals, bottom species and fish nesting and feeding grounds –Destroy coral reefs Anchors can cause serious damage to near-shore marine ecosystems: In areas of high use the reefs will likely never have the chance to recover, resulting in: –Fewer fish –Fewer living corals –Loss of feeding and nesting habitats for fish and marine invertebrates –Cloudy water prevents sunlight from reaching corals –Seagrass bed loss

Anchoring What Tour Operators Can Do:  Anchor only in designated areas, away from reefs  Consider using drift dives instead of anchored dives when mooring buoys are not present  Educate customers, especially those renting boat equipment - canoes, kayaks, sailboats  Use mooring buoys  Promote and support mooring buoy installation systems

Boat Operation Poorly conducted or irresponsible boat operation and accidents damage shore and reef environments around the world.  Increases in sedimentation caused by propeller wash and wave creation smother reef- dwelling organisms  Inefficient two-stroke engines cause noise and air pollution Risks:  Boats collide with coral reefs, crushing and killing large areas of coral and reef-dwelling organisms  Fuel spills affect coastal organisms from birds to reptiles

Boat Operation What Tour Operators Can Do: –Follow proper mooring and navigation principles: –Obey speed signs –Stay within designated anchoring lines –Identify dark water areas as important shallow ecosystems –Keep boats in prime condition for operations and emergencies: –Get boat engines serviced regularly by certified mechanics –Refuel only at the dock, never at sea –Create a preventative maintenance plan and stick with it –Educate customers and tourists who rent equipment: –Provide instruction in basic navigation and boat handling –Explain the sensitive nature of the marine ecosystem

Boat Maintenance Proper boat maintenance will reduce customer complaints, repair costs and unnecessary environmental impacts. Risks To The Environment Include: Leaks of toxic substances such as oil or fuel Release of heavy metals from antifouling bottom paints Releases of untreated bilge residues Direct release of black or gray water at anchoring sites

Hiking  Collect shells or rocks  Introduce exotic species  Harass wildlife  Feed animals  Step off of trails  Leave garbage or graffiti behind  Light fires What Is The Issue? Guests hiking in coastal sites may:

Hiking What Tour Operators Can Do:  Establish a no-collection policy  Discourage feeding and harassment of coastal wildlife  Educate visitors

Wildlife Viewing Intrusive or irresponsible methods of coastal-marine wildlife observation can potentially harm and even kill popular animals, such as whales, dolphins, turtles, sea lions, seals, seabirds and marine reptiles. Primary Threats  Improper boating practices and corralling of animals during viewing.  Intrusive actions by water sports enthusiasts, such as snorkelers and kayakers, can disturb marine life and, in some cases, drive animals from their primary habitat.

Wildlife Viewing  Never feed animals  Don’t “chum” the water  Avoid illegal import of captive animals What Tour Operators Can Do  Avoid chasing marine animals. Operate at a slow speed and never chase.  Practice a no-contact policy  Avoid surrounding animals

Snorkeling, Diving, Snuba* What Is The Issue? The consistent presence of small and large groups of people in shallow coral and rocky reefs and other habitats can lead to significant degradation of an ecosystem over time. Irresponsible or inexperienced snorkelers and divers regularly crush and break corals and other reef-dwelling organisms with fins, equipment and body parts. Results: Disrupted sea bottom habitats Increase in sedimentation Disturbance of marine wildlife Removal of coral mucous makes coral susceptible to disease * Snuba is a new water sport for non-certified divers that combines snorkeling and SCUBA

Snorkeling, Diving, Snuba What Tour Operators Can Do:  Cooperate with other operators to address diver carrying-capacity issues  Establish a no-contact policy  Conduct environmental awareness briefings for all visitors  Conduct buoyancy refreshers  Recommend reef hooks in strong currents  Do not use tank bangers

Snorkeling, Diving, Snuba What Tour Operators Can Do, continued: Discourage feeding and harassment of sharks, reef fish and other mammals Support mooring buoy projects to establish permanent mooring buoys at popular dive spots Support establishment of Marine Protected Areas

Seafood Consumption and Souvenir Purchasing Result:  Loss of ecosystem species from over- harvesting  Increase in illegal and destructive fishing - use of nets in reef areas, dynamiting, cyanide to poison and catch fish  Reduced marine biodiversity impacts overall near-shore marine biodiversity What Is The Issue? People can make money through the sale of popular seafood such as fish or lobsters, as well as ornamental souvenirs, including corals, turtle shells and other reef-dwelling organisms. As a result of consumer demand, many species are now harvested from coral reefs and other marine habitats in an unsustainable manner.

Seafood Consumption and Souvenir Purchasing  Educate clients to be informed consumers. For example, don’t buy black coral because it is protected  Support ecologically sustainable fisheries practices  Avoid selling or purchasing marine ornamental souvenirs  Observe the law regarding harvesting of marine species What Can Tour Operators Do?

Performance Monitoring Why Bother? Performance monitoring allows you to track whether practices are improving your performance and helping you to progress towards achieving sustainability.

How Should I Monitor? 4. Refer to A Practical Guide to Good Practice for Marine and Coastal Tours to find recommendations for good practices 1. Identify Impacts/ Threats 2. Define objective(s) 3. Assign specific Goals 1. Impact/threat Diver Behavior 2. Objective(s) Educate Divers 3. Goal Achieve at least 90% compliance with diving techniques safe to the environment 4. Good Practices Inform visitors Establish some dives as “expert only” Train dive-masters to monitor and record diver behavior and environmental impacts

Self Assessment Sustainability Checklist Anchoring Do you use, and support the installation and use of, mooring buoys as an alternative to anchoring around reefs and other sensitive near-shore marine areas? Y/N Do you use drift dives instead of anchored dives if no moorings are available? Y/N When anchoring is unavoidable, do you ensure that your tour boats are anchored in designated areas? Y/N Do you educate your clients about anchoring good practices? Y/N

Self Assessment Sustainability Checklist Boat Operation Do you follow proper navigation and mooring principles when operating boats? Y/N Do you keep your boats in good condition by:  carrying the necessary equipment on every vessel? Y/N  Implementing a regular service and maintenance program? Y/N  using non-toxic oils and chemicals? Y/N  refueling only at the dock? Y/N Do you educate your customers about good boating practices and the sensitive nature of near-shore marine ecosystems? Y/N

Self Assessment Sustainability Checklist Snorkeling, Diving and Snuba Do you promote a policy of no-contact with corals and no handling or feeding of wildlife, such as sharks, reef fish and turtles, for boat passengers and crew? Y/N Do you provide environmental education to onboard divemasters, videographers, photographers and crew regarding the effects that human contact and harassment can have on corals and marine animals? Y/N Do you provide an environmental code of conduct and/or onboard environmental briefings and literature for tourists, in order to reduce the impacts of snorkeling, diving and snuba on marine ecosystems and wildlife? Y/N Do you conduct refresher courses and buoyancy control orientation for new or out-of- practice divers and provide information on the importance of proper weighting and streamlining of gear? Y/N Do you support polices, such as mooring buoy projects and the establishment of marine protected areas, that can help minimize impacts on marine environments? Y/N

Thank You! For More Information See Contact Christina Heyniger