Coastal ecosystems are amongst the most productive ecosystems in the world. Reef-based tourism, one
of the multiple uses in coastal zones, has become more important in terms of magnitude and contribution
to national economies as well as to the wellbeing of local communities. However, in the absence
of proper controls and enforcement, unplanned tourism growth can cause environmental degradation
and social and cultural conflicts which undermine the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry.
The concepts of integrated coastal management (ICM) and sustainable tourism development (STD) have
been proposed as the way forward in dealing with such constraints and pressure. Nevertheless, given the
scale of tourism in the world’s coastal zone, one of the greatest challenges faced by coastal managers is
giving tourism development a proper place within ICM. This study provides insight into key issues
confronting the management of reef-based dive tourism and proposes a way forward for sustainable dive
tourism based on the frameworks of ICM and STD. Koh Tao in Thailand, which is well-known as the
busiest diving center in Southeast Asia, was selected as a case study. Data collection was undertaken
using a mixed social research method of surveys and interviews. The results show that the dominance of
dive tourism over other land-based and marine-based sectors, a lack of government support, and a
complexity of social factors have made the implementation of ICM and STD in Koh Tao nearly impossible.
In response, the study suggests a new paradigm for the management of reef-based SCUBA dive tourism
integrating the management and governance frameworks of ICM and STD with the voluntary management
strategy and community-oriented approach. The study concludes that the internationally accepted
management frameworks are not always transferable. Each locale must select or adapt appropriate
strategies for its own needs considering the biophysical, socio-cultural and managerial settings.
2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Coastal ecosystems are amongst the most productive ecosystems in the world. Reef-based tourism, oneof the multiple uses in coastal zones, has become more important in terms of magnitude and contributionto national economies as well as to the wellbeing of local communities. However, in the absenceof proper controls and enforcement, unplanned tourism growth can cause environmental degradationand social and cultural conflicts which undermine the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry.The concepts of integrated coastal management (ICM) and sustainable tourism development (STD) havebeen proposed as the way forward in dealing with such constraints and pressure. Nevertheless, given thescale of tourism in the world’s coastal zone, one of the greatest challenges faced by coastal managers isgiving tourism development a proper place within ICM. This study provides insight into key issuesconfronting the management of reef-based dive tourism and proposes a way forward for sustainable divetourism based on the frameworks of ICM and STD. Koh Tao in Thailand, which is well-known as thebusiest diving center in Southeast Asia, was selected as a case study. Data collection was undertakenusing a mixed social research method of surveys and interviews. The results show that the dominance ofdive tourism over other land-based and marine-based sectors, a lack of government support, and acomplexity of social factors have made the implementation of ICM and STD in Koh Tao nearly impossible.In response, the study suggests a new paradigm for the management of reef-based SCUBA dive tourism
integrating the management and governance frameworks of ICM and STD with the voluntary management
strategy and community-oriented approach. The study concludes that the internationally accepted
management frameworks are not always transferable. Each locale must select or adapt appropriate
strategies for its own needs considering the biophysical, socio-cultural and managerial settings.
2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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