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Travel Services & Tour Operators

Travel Services & Tour Operators

The Travel Services and Tour Operators subsector of the Entertainment and Accommodation Services sector provides travel arrangements, reservations, boat and car rentals, and guided tours for tourists.

CMap

Sand production is the process by which calcified coral skeletons and invertebrate shells break down, forming sand which replenishes beaches. Cultural policies are responses that impact the distribution and functioning of cultural sectors, including tourism, recreation, education, and social organization. Cultural services are the nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, recreational opportunities, aesthetic experiences, sense of place, and educational and research opportunities. Culture sectors contribute to the social, emotional, and intellectual well-being of the community. Discharges are the intentional or unintentional distribution of chemicals, debris, or other pollution, into the environment as a consequence of human activities. Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems . Entertainment and Accommodation Services are businesses that provide attractions, lodging, and food services for tourists, and to some degree for local residents. Finfish and shellfish stock are fish (e.g., groupers and snappers) and invertebrates (e.g., lobster, crab, conch, octopus, squid, and bivalves) that are harvested for human consumption as seafood. The Golf Course Operations subsector of the Entertainment and Accommodation Services sector consists of establishments that operate golf courses, including country clubs that also offer dining and other recreational facilities. The Hotel and Food Services subsector of Entertainment and Accommodation Services provides accommodations, restaurants, and similar services for tourism and local recreation. Landscape Changes are alterations of the natural landscape through human activities, including coastal development, shoreline armoring, impervious surfaces, deforestation, or soil disturbance, which can alter water flow patterns and lead to pollutant runoff into coastal systems. Landuse management pertains to responses that determine the use of land for development and construction. Marine products are non-food goods derived from reefs that promote human well-being (e.g, aquarium fish or ornamental resources) and human health (e.g., pharmaceuticals and cosmetics). Industries involved in the Museums, Amusement Parks, and Historical Sites subsector of the Entertainment and Accommodation Services sector preserve and exhibit objects, sites, and natural wonders of historical, cultural, and educational value, and operate amusement parks for public entertainment. The Reef Ecosystem includes a suite of abiotic variables that form the physical and chemical environment. Pressures are human activities that create stress on the environment. Provisioning services are the products or ecosystem goods obtained from ecosystems, including seafood, genetic and biochemical resources, pharmaceuticals, ornamental resources, and water resources. Aesthetic & recreational value pertains to the value derived from the visual beauty and recreational opportunities provided by a natural ecosystem, including an assemblage of diverse, healthy, colorful, or unique species. The state of the Reef Ecosystem is the condition, in terms of quantity and quality, of the abiotic and biotic components including physical, chemical, and biological variables. Reef Life is the abundance, distribution, and condition of the biological components of the coral reef ecosystem. Regulating Services are benefits obtained from ecosystem processes that regulate the environment, including erosion regulation, natural hazard regulation, and climate regulation. Responses are actions taken by groups or individuals in society and government to prevent, compensate, ameliorate or adapt to changes in Ecosystem Services or their perceived value. Shoreline Protection is the attenuation of wave energy by reefs that protects coastal communities against shoreline erosion and flooding during storms, hurricanes, and tsunamis that can cause property damage and loss of life. Socio-Economic Drivers include the sectors that fulfill human needs for Food & Raw Materials, Water, Shelter, Health, Culture, and Security, and the Infrastructure that supports the sectors. Tourism & Recreation sectors operate facilities and provide services for the varied cultural, entertainment, and recreational interests of residents and tourists. Tourism and recreation policies can be use to control the distribution and intensity of recreational activities such as through advertising, incentives, or visitors centers. The Travel Services and Tour Operators subsector of the Entertainment and Accommodation Services sector provides travel arrangements, reservations, boat and car rentals, and guided tours for tourists. Water resources reflect the quality and quantity of seawater available for human use, including swimming, navigation, and other uses.

CMap Description

Tourism & recreation often drives coastal development, including establishment of entertainment & accommodation services such as hotels, restaurants, rental services, and attractions that contribute to landscape changes and alter pollutant runoff into coastal systems. Entertainment & accommodation services directly benefit from many ecosystem services, including the aesthetic value of the reef and clean, calm waters, which provide recreational opportunities and contribute to the cultural identity of the local community. The reef ecosystem also provides seafood and marine products that businesses sell to consumers. Coral, and other species with calcium carbonate skeletons, contribute to the formation of beaches. Decision-makers can enact policies to increase tourism, guide the activities of tourists, or alter the location or number of service providers through city planning, zoning, and permitting.

Citations

Citation Year Study Location Study Type Database Topics
Clua, E., N. Buray, P. Legendre, J. Mourier, and S. Planes. 2010. Behavioural response of sicklefin lemon sharks Negaprion acutidens to underwater feeding for ecotourism purposes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 414:257-266. 2010 Apex Fish Predators; Tourism & Recreation; Travel Services & Tour Operators
Goffredo, S., F. Pensa, P. Neri, A. Orlandi, M. S. Gagliardi, A. Velardi, C. Piccinetti, and F. Zaccanti. 2010. Unite research with what citizens do for fun: "recreational monitoring'' of marine biodiversity. Ecological Applications 20:2170-2187. 2010 Cuba Field Study & Monitoring; Index or Indicator Dive, Snorkeling, & Swimming Tourism; Environmental Education & Outreach; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Social Organizations; Tourism & Recreation; Travel Services & Tour Operators
Landry, M. S. and C. T. Taggart. 2010. Turtle watching conservation guidelines: green turtle (Chelonia mydas) tourism in nearshore coastal environments. Biodiversity and Conservation 19:305-312. 2010 Dive, Snorkeling, & Swimming Tourism; Sea Turtles; Special Use Permitting; Tourism & Recreation; Travel Services & Tour Operators; Whales & Dolphins
Washburne, R. and Wagar, J. 2010. Evaluating Visitor Response to Exhibit Content. Curator: The Museum Journal 15:248-256. 2010 US Pacific & Hawaii Museums, Amusement Parks, Historical Sites; Tourism & Recreation
Reid-Grant, K. and M. G. Bhat. 2009. Financing marine protected areas in Jamaica: An exploratory study. Marine Policy 33:128-136. 2009 South & Central America; Jamaica; Caribbean Model Banks, Credit, & Securities; Finfish Harvest; Funding & Donations; Funding & Incentives; Hotel & Food Services; Marine Protected Areas; Monetary Valuation; Tourism & Recreation; Tourism & Recreation Policies; Travel Services & Tour Operators
Messing, G. L., S.-I. Hirano, and L. Gauckler. 2005. 9th international ceramic processing science symposium. in American Ceramic Society Bulletin. 2005 Florida Decision Support Frameworks & Tools Hotel & Food Services
Capitini, C. A., B. N. Tissot, M. S. Carroll, W. J. Walsh, and S. Peck. 2004. Competing perspectives in resource protection: The case of the marine protected areas in West Hawai'i. Society and Natural Resources 17:763-778. 2004 Aquarium & Pet Trade; Aquarium Stock; Dive, Snorkeling, & Swimming Tourism; Fish; Fishing Sector; Marine Protected Areas; Travel Services & Tour Operators
Harrison, S. L., P. A. Leggat, P. J. Fenner, D. N. Durrheim, and A. L. Swinbourne. 2004. Reported Knowledge, Perceptions, and Behavior of Tourists and North Queensland Residents at Risk of Contact with Jellyfish that Cause the \Irukandji Syndrome\"". Wilderness and Environmental Medicine 15:10-Apr. 2004 Australia Textiles & Apparel; Tourism & Recreation; Travel Services & Tour Operators
The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) the Tour Opperators' Iniative (TOI) and The Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB). 2003. A Practical Guide to Good Practice: Managing Environmental Impacts In The Marine Recreation Sector. 2003 Cuba Decision Support Frameworks & Tools Anchoring & Vessel Grounding; Boating Regulations; Cultural Policies; Cultural Protections; Dive, Snorkeling, & Swimming Tourism; Finfish Harvest; Fish; Fishing Sector; Hotel & Food Services; Recreational Fishing; Souvenir & Decorative Trade; Storms & Hurricanes; Tourism & Recreation; Travel Services & Tour Operators
Tissot, B. N. and L. E. Hallacher. 2003. Effects of Aquarium Collectors on Coral Reef Fishes in Kona, Hawaii. Conservation Biology 17:1759-1768. 2003 US Pacific & Hawaii Algae; Aquarium & Pet Trade; Aquarium Stock; Dive, Snorkeling, & Swimming Tourism; Finfish Harvest; Fish; Tourism & Recreation; Travel Services & Tour Operators
Buckley, R. 2002. Surf tourism and sustainable development in Indo-Pacific Islands. II. Recreational capacity management and case study. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 10:425-442. 2002 US Pacific & Hawaii; Indonesia Agriculture; Cultural Policies; Forestry; Housing; Infrastructure; Social Organizations; Tourism & Recreation; Travel Services & Tour Operators

Management Options

Management Option Description Sources Database Topics
Administrative & Interagency Policy: Continued Staff Training It is important that staff be properly educated and trained to perform their designated tasks, but it is equally important to keep staff familiar with applicable agency directive and regulation through training and communication. Some strategies for this include information technology-based reference and guidance, regularly scheduled meetings (#210), and through in-service trainings. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Beaches & Nature Parks; Collaboration & Partnering; Decision Support; Education & Information; Environmental Education & Outreach; Marine Protected Areas; Museums, Amusement Parks, Historical Sites; Public Administration; Security & Public Administration Policies; Tourism & Recreation; Travel Services & Tour Operators
Administrative & Interagency Policy: Conduct Staff Meetings Several types of staff meetings should be regularly scheduled to fulfill a variety of purposes. Management meetings are necessary to address administrative policy matters. Internal staff meetings should be conducted to ensure necessary information is communicated among staff as to any changes, concerns, or developments. Meetings are an opportunity to review the sanctuary management plan (#213) and standard operating procedures (#208). External collaborators should be involved in meetings when an issue is being discussed that the collaborator is involved in, such as when standard operating procedures are being developed across agencies. Meetings can also be used as important staff training sessions. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Beaches & Nature Parks; Collaboration & Partnering; Decision Support; Education & Information; Environmental Education & Outreach; Marine Protected Areas; Museums, Amusement Parks, Historical Sites; Public Administration; Security & Public Administration Policies; Travel Services & Tour Operators
Develop & Distribute Educational Materials: Distribute Educational Materials at Visitor Booths/Displays Visitor booths at visitor centers, rental car agencies, airports, and chambers of commerce could hold an array of educational materials and brochures (#111) for walk-in visitors. Locations frequented by tourists are excellent targets for these booths and displays, as visitors are often less knowledgeable of the local ecosystems and the policies governing them. Materials should also be multilingual to enhance their effectiveness. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Cultural Policies; Entertainment & Accommodation Services; Environmental Education & Outreach; Tourism & Recreation; Tourism & Recreation Policies
Develop & Distribute Educational Materials: Develop Outreach with the Tourism Development Council Collaborating with the Tourism Development Council allows for more specific targeting of tourists and visitors for resource management outreach. Tourists and visitors are less familiar with local ecosystems and are therefore more prone to unintentionally damaging the environment or defying policies and regulations. The Tourism Development Council is also an important stakeholder to consider, in coastal zone management. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Collaboration & Partnering; Cultural Policies; Entertainment & Accommodation Services; Environmental Education & Outreach; Resource Use Management; Security & Public Administration Policies; Tourism & Recreation; Tourism & Recreation Policies; Travel Services & Tour Operators
Develop & Distribute Educational Materials: Develop Mobile Displays Developing mobile displays for conventions (#135)), trade shows (#108), and educational courses is important to communicate information through pre-established educational opportunities. Support for display development can be arranged through grant funding, and design can be accomplished through utilizing volunteer staff. Much of the information for the display can be gathered from less mobile exhibits/signs, and pre-existing brochures/pamphlets. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Washburne, R. and Wagar, J. 2010. Evaluating Visitor Response to Exhibit Content. Curator: The Museum Journal 15:248-256.

Cultural Policies; Education & Information; Environmental Education & Outreach; Tourism & Recreation
Develop & Distribute Educational Materials: Develop Interactive Interpretive Exhibits Interpretive exhibits combine an array of information types (pictures, sounds, interactive activities etc.) in an easy to understand, relevant way to visitors. On-water and on-land interpretive exhibits for maritime heritage resources and sanctuaries are helpful at increasing public knowledge/awareness of reefs. Interpretive exhibits can be established near the site of the resource (#126), in permanent (#131) or used as a traveling tool for (#127), and (#130). Such exhibits are beneficial as they allow for schools, the community, and tourists see resources first-hand and learn why they are important, at their leisure and without requiring a staff member to present the information. Expanding already-created exhibits is important to continue to draw in crowds and to continue to add/increase public knowledge and stewardship. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Washburne, R. and Wagar, J. 2010. Evaluating Visitor Response to Exhibit Content. Curator: The Museum Journal 15:248-256.

Veverka, J. The Key to Successful Heritage Tourism Marketing Planning and Program Design. Interpretive Communication Accessed 7/7/2011.

Decision Support; Educational & Research Opportunities; Environmental Education & Outreach; Existence Value & Sense of Place; Tourism & Recreation
Marine Zoning: Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs) This is a type of Marine Zoning used by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). SPAs focus on the protection of shallow, heavily used reefs where conflicts occur between user groups, and where concentrated visitor activity leads to resource degradation. They are designed to enhance the reproductive capabilities of renewable resources, protect areas critical for sustaining and protecting important marine species, and reduce user conflicts in high-use areas. This is accomplished through a prohibition of consumptive activities within these areas. They have been chosen based on the status of important habitat, the ability of a particular area to sustain and protect the habitat, the level of visitor use, and the degree of conflict between consumptive and non-consumptive users. The actual size and location of these zones have been determined by examination of user patterns, aerial photography, and ground-truthing of specific habitats. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Accidental & Illegal Harvest; Anchoring & Vessel Grounding; Aquaculture; Aquarium & Pet Trade; Aquarium Stock; Artisanal Fishing; Beaches & Nature Parks; Biological Addition; Biological Harvest; Biological Monitoring & Restoration; Boat Movement; Boating Activities; Boating Regulations; Coastal Defense; Coastal Development; Coastal Engineering; Commercial Fisheries; Commercial Fishing Boats; Complex Habitat & Resources; Cruise Ships; Cultural Services; Decision Support; Designated Uses; Dive, Snorkeling, & Swimming Tourism; Dredging Regulations; Dredging, Draining, & Filling; Ecosystem Monitoring & Restoration; Educational & Research Opportunities; Entertainment & Accommodation Services; Environmental Monitoring & Restoration; Finfish & Shellfish Stock; Finfish Harvest; Fisheries & Hunting Policies; Fishing & Harvesting Management; Fishing Sector; Invertebrate Harvest; Landscape Changes; Large Ships; Live Collection; Marine Protected Areas; Oil & Gas Tankers; Ornamental Jewelry & Art; Permitting & Zoning; Physical Damage; Public Administration; Recreational Fishing; Recreational Opportunities; Resource Use Management; Security; Small Boats; Souvenir & Decorative Trade; Supporting Services; Tourism & Recreation; Tourism & Recreation Policies; Trampling; Travel Services & Tour Operators; Trawling & Fishing Gear Damage; Water Resources; Water Transportation
Monitor & Research: Monitor Use Patterns on Artificial and Natural Reefs This management option seeks to provide data for decisions concerning creating new artificial reefs. Use data is important because justification for artificial reefs extends from their ability to shift use pressures (diving, fishing, etc.) from natural reefs. Once an artificial reef is decided on there is much more data to collect and factors to consider when deciding where the artificial reef (#189). NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Artificial Habitat; Biological Addition; Biological Monitoring & Restoration; Boating Activities; Civil Engineering & Construction; Coastal Defense; Complex Habitat & Resources; Coral; Cultural Services; Decision Support; Dive, Snorkeling, & Swimming Tourism; Ecosystem Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring & Restoration; Finfish & Shellfish Stock; Fishing Sector; Military; Museums, Amusement Parks, Historical Sites; Provisioning Services; Recreational Fishing; Recreational Opportunities; Reef Habitat; Reef Life; Security; Security & Public Administration Policies; Supporting Services; Tourism & Recreation; Tourism & Recreation Policies; Transportation; Travel Services & Tour Operators; Valuation; Wetland & Reef Restoration
Water Quality Plans: Reducing Pollution Discharges from Marinas and Live-Aboards This plan strives to reduced pollution discharges through more strictly enforcing already-existing regulations for discharging. This includes enforcing regulations that restrict boaters from releasing sewage into state waters and requiring connecting toilets to shore-side plumbing. Also, this entails enforcing "no-discharge" zones where live-aboard vessels congregate or where there is history of violation issues with sewage release. The third component to this plan would be to develop and education plan to educate boaters on how/why to reduce pollution from their vessels. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

US EPA. 2011. Vessel General Permit Fact Sheet.

2005. Brightwork: Best Management Practices Manual for Maine's Boatyards and Marinas.

Biological Addition; Contact Uses; Cultural Policies; Culture; Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Entertainment & Accommodation Services; Environmental Education & Outreach; Fishing Sector; Food & Raw Materials; Health; Health Policies; Infrastructure; Point & Mobile Source Controls; Point Source Discharges; Pressures; Recreational Fishing; Resource Use Management; Responses; Sectors Filling Human Needs; Sewage Treatment; Socio-Economic Drivers; Tourism & Recreation; Utilities; Waste Management; Waste Management Policies; Wastewater Discharge; Waterborne Discharges

Laws

Legal Citation Purpose of Law Management Organization Database Topics

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