ABSTRACT
The establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in developing countries is perceived as solving problems of over-exploitation of marine resources whilst also offering opportunities to promote alternative sources of income for local communities through tourism-related activities (Boersma and Parrish 1999; Gubbay 1995). These activities, commonly referred to as nature-based tourism or ecotourism, constitute one of the fastest growing sectors of the travel market (World Tourism Organisation 2002). Increasing consumer choice and spending ability in developed countries has led to an expansion of destinations catering to tourists demanding increasingly remote and unspoiled locations. Whilst the definition of ecotourism itself is subject to debate, most writers accept the following description:
…[ecotourism is] environmentally responsible, enlightening travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas to enjoy and appreciate nature and any accompanying cultural features both past and present that promotes conservation, has low visitor impact and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations (Ceballos-Lascurain 1996).
