Attitudes And Approaches To Sustainable Coastal Adventure Tourism /

Abstract

This study explores the attitudes and approaches of adventure tourism providers towards sustainable practices and coastal preservation. It evaluates existing guidelines on sustainability for adventure tourism businesses, explores current obstacles observed by adventure tourism businesses regarding their operations, and includes their perception on responsibility regarding the environment. The study further discusses what measures are being used or may perhaps be implemented to minimise erosion caused by adventure tourism and how this would impact business practices. The study additionally includes the opinions and attitudes of tourists, who have undertaken adventure tourism activities along the Irish coastlines, regarding coastal erosion. It examines the tourists' evaluation of the problem of erosion and their willingness to change behaviour and spending habits for a more sustainable adventure experience with the Irish tourism field. The above aims were addressed through research on existing published literature based on international examples but likewise reviewed domestic literature, focusing on Irish circumstances, climate, and business practices. The primary research was carried out through online based questionnaires for both businesses and tourists, and in-depth one on one phone interviews, providing a comprehensive overview of the attitudes of adventure business providers. The primary research displayed the lack of environmental regulations through governmental institutions and lack of involvement by both business owners and tourists throughout the adventure tourism industry in Ireland, as well as an absence of awareness of the effects of coastal erosion. Many of the already limited number of sustainable certifications in place, are not credible qualifications and not being used by many adventure tourism businesses. Furthermore, coastal area infrastructures, as well as marketing are not considering the host communities and future sustainable development. The conclusion chapter of this thesis presents recommendations, including a framework for businesses and recommendations for tourists, for more sustainable conduct in the coastal environment.