ABSTRACT
Despite the significant efforts being made to mitigate the impacts of marine tourism in programmes such as coastal zone management, marine park and protected areas, management plans and fisheries management systems, the reality of ever-increasing numbers and fixed resources remains. Our interest in marine recreation seems unlikely to abate. Increasing interest in and use of the marine environment has been a long-term trend. Furthermore, it is certain that our invention of new ways to access the sea and utilise it for recreational purposes will continue to increase. The result of these two basic trends is simple: marine-based tourism will continue to grow in popularity. Because of the increasing demand, the supply of marine tourism opportunities will become a critical issue.
