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  1. Surveys
  2. 2007
  3. April
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  5. Marine research tourism, survey number one

Marine research tourism, survey number one

 


Welcome to this survey about marine
research tourism


*
This survey is estimated to take approximately fourty to sixty minutes.



Topics to be covered include:



1. A definition for marine research tourism

2. Supply and demand for marine research tourism in Australia

3. Benefits, issues, opportunities and constraints for marine research tourism

4. Potential products for marine research tourism



For additional information on the PhD project, please read this href="http://www.marine-research-tourism.com/Docs/Information sheet.doc" target='_blank'>PhD research project information sheet.



Your survey responses will be used to develop future scenarios for marine research tourism across Australia.



Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. You can advance to the next question or withdraw from the survey at any time. Please read the informed
consent form and inform us of any confidentiality or other ethical issues if necessary.



Your survey responses will be strictly confidential, survey participation is anonymous and survey results will only be reported in aggregate.



To begin the survey, click on the Continue button below.




If the survey questions are on a purple background please try another web browser



If you have questions about the survey or the research, contact Peter Wood on 07 4042 1372 or
[email protected], or Dr. Heather Zeppel on 07 4042 1446 or href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected].



If you have questions about the ethical conduct of this survey, contact Peter Wood or the James Cook University Ethics Officer, Tina Langford on 07 4781 4342 or size=2 face=Arial>[email protected].



Postal address is James Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns Mail Centre, Cairns, Queensland, Australia . 4870.
 
 
1. Would you briefly, tell us about your occupation?


Would you describe yourself as a? (Please select one)
 
Marine research tour operator
 
Marine research tourism consultant
 
Marine researcher
 
Marine manager
 
Marine tour operator
 
Representative of a marine research society
 
Representative of a marine education society
 
Representative of an environmental conservation organisation
 
Representative of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander management organisation
 
Representative of a tourism organisation
 
A marine research student
 
A scuba dive operator
 
Other (Please list)
 
 
 


Defining marine research tourism





For your information



Marine research tourism is defined as a form of marine ecotourism that provides an opportunity for paying tourists and/or volunteers to participate in marine research activity (adapted from Benson, 2005). Features of a marine research tourism venture are:



1. Marine research is an important part of the attraction

2. There are researchers who are engaged in official marine research pursuits

3. There is an official research centre that supports research activity

4. The tourist is actively involved in the marine research experience

5. There is research supervision for any tourist marine research activity





Criteria for this definition include:



1) Delineating marine research tourism from other forms of tourism such as educational tourism, volunteer tourism and wildlife tourism

2) Marine research tourism should be beneficial to marine research

3) The quality of research from marine research tourism is quality assured

4) The tourist is focused on marine research activity that occurs in the vicinity



Some implications of this definition include:



1) Active tourism involvement can range from observation of marine research activity to full participation in advanced marine research activity

2) Provided the marine research is qualified, the supervision of marine research tourists can be minimal

3) A marine research tourism venture does not have to always involve coastal or marine based field work

4) A marine research tourism venture can involve land based marine research laboratories and aquaria



Please note, for this research, a marine research tourism venture should last for one or more days, be advertised publicly, take paying tourists or volunteers, and operate on a commercial basis.



References



Benson, A. (2005). Research tourism: Professional travel for useful discoveries. In M. Novelli (Ed.), Niche tourism: Contemporary issues, trends and cases. (pp. 133-144). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
 
 
2. 
Have you or your organisation been involved with any of the following marine research tourism organisations? (Please select those that apply)
Yes No
Asociacion de Voluntarios para el Servicio en las Areas Protegidas
Biosphere Expeditions
Blue ventures
Cape York Turtle Rescue
Conservation Volunteers Australia
Coral Cay Conservation
Frontier
Greenforce
GVI international
Landscope Expeditions
Yes No
Odyssey expeditions
Operation Wallacea
Raleigh International
SV Pelican
Tevene'i Marine
The African Conservation Experience
The Antinea Foundation
The Earthwatch Institute
The Living Oceans Foundation
The Oceania Project
Yes No
The Oceanic Society
The Rodney Fox Shark Experience
The Scientific Exploration Society
The Shark Research Institute
The Tethys Research Institute
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
Undersea Explorer
Reef Check
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
4. From your point of view, how likely are the following types of tourists to be interested in marine research tourism? (Please select those that apply)


Very likely Likely Possibly Not likely Cannot say (i.e. not enough information)
Marine wildlife tourists
Adventure tourists
Gap year students
Ecotourists
Recreational fishers
Volunteers
Backpackers
Package tour travellers
Grey nomads
Educational tourists
Very likely Likely Possibly Not likely Cannot say (i.e. not enough information)
Cruise ship tourists
Alternative tourists
Marine resort tourists
Scuba divers
Snorkellers
Scientists
Mass tourists
Independent travellers
Natural history enthusiasts
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural tourists
Very likely Likely Possibly Not likely Cannot say (i.e. not enough information)
Regular viewers of nature documentaries
Terrestrial marine research tourists
Holiday makers
Nature, Eco and Adventure Tourists (NEAT)
Repeat marine research tourists
Spirited travellers
Experience seekers
Fit and Independent Travellers (FIT)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
6. In your view, where would prospective marine research tourists come from? (Please select those that apply)


Very likely Likely Possibly Not likely Cannot say (i.e. not enough information)
Australia
United Kingdom
Canada
Scandinavia
Germany
France
Italy
Spain
Kenya
USA
Very likely Likely Possibly Not likely Cannot say (i.e. not enough information)
New Zealand
Brazil
Japan
China
South Africa
Korea
India
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
8. From your experience, what sort of marine research programs would be suitable for marine research tourism? (Please select those that apply)
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (i.e. not enough information)
Charismatic marine wildlife (e.g. Turtles, whales, dolphins, sharks, penguins or seals) research programs
Lesser charismatic marine wildlife (e.g. Molluscs, sponges, plankton, schools of mackerel) research programs
Endangered marine species and habitat research programs
Coral reef marine research programs
Marine archaeology (e.g. ship wrecks) research programs
Marine research programs with a conservation focus
Marine fisheries programs
Marine monitoring and sampling programs
Marine survey programs
Impacts of climate change on the marine environment
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (i.e. not enough information)
Island based marine research programs
Coastal based marine research programs
Marine environmental impact assessments
Vessel based marine research programs
Deep sea marine research programs (including submersibles)
Underwater laboratories
Seasonal migration and breeding marine research programs
Marine anthropology research (e.g. Indigenous heritage mapping)
Studying the marine environment within a marine aquarium
Watching and reporting marine bird sightings
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (i.e. not enough information)
Monitoring and researching tidal pools
Monitoring and researching mangrove forests
Monitoring and researching kelp forests
Coastal flooding impacts
Monitoring and researching coastal estuaries
Studying coastal geomorphology
Researching the marine biodiversity about marine pontoons
Researching the impacts of marine tourism on the marine environment
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
10. 
In your view, how useful is marine research interpretation to produce a quality experience for the marine research tourist? (Please select one)
 
Not really useful Useful Very useful Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
11. 
In your view, how useful is photography and videography as a method for involving the marine research tourist within the marine research experience? (Please select one)
 
Very useful Useful Not very useful Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
12. 
It has been proposed that volunteer tourists can be helpful to marine research programs.



In your view, how helpful can the involvement of suitably trained volunteer tourists be to marine research programs? (Please select one)
 
Not very much Somewhat Moderately Very much
 
 
13. 
In your view, how difficult can it be for a marine researcher who is undertaking marine research to directly supervise a volunteer tourist? (Please select one)
 
Not very Somewhat Moderately Very Your comments here  
 
 
14. 
Are you aware of the following marine research services that could support marine research tourism ventures?



(Please tick those that apply)
 
 
The Global Dive Log - a database for divers and snorkellers to log sightings of key indicator species
 
The Coral Watch program - a coral monitoring program for volunteers, developed via the University of Queensland
 
The Reef Check organisation - a global volunteer focused project that helps monitor coral reef health world wide
 
The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network - a global coral reef health monitoring network and survey method
 
Please list if you are aware of similar marine research services.

 
 
15. 
Feel free to skip the following question if you do not feel qualified to answer



Given 2 days of appropriate training, training personnel, training methods, equipment and other necessary resources.



In your belief, can volunteer tourists without prior experience, satisfactorily assist with the following activities (Please select those that apply)
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
Undertake pelagic fish surveys
Drive a 4WD
Use pen, paper and record data
Plankton sampling
Undertake Reef Check surveys
Undertake inter-tidal surveys
Listen and record whale and dolphin vocalisations
Use computers
Use computer databases
Collect weather data
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
Listen to and learn from the marine researchers
Bird surveys and reporting
Collect sea surface data
Count marine species
Use water sampling devices
Assisting with DNA sampling
Use a single beam echo sounder
Undertake mangrove surveys
Assist with habitat restoration
Assisting with maintaining shark nets
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
Use a Geographic Information System (GIS)
Undertake line intercept surveys
Use a GPS receiver
Use bait nets
Handle a small boat
Use video and photo cameras to record data
Work in teams
Sail a boat
Use species population modeling software
Ethical interaction and handling of wildlife
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
Assisting with the measuring of wildlife
Assist with supplies and other logistics
Undertake point intercept surveys
Use species identification charts
Assisting with mooring deployment and maintenance
Assisting with marine pest removal
Assist with interpretative signage and publications
Organising slides and photos
Assist with deploying remote oceanographic measuring buoys
Assist with documentary making
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
Undertake rehabilitation of injured wildlife
Undertake habitat observation and reporting
Undertake plot or quadrant surveys
Use aerial and satellite imagery
Assist with a multi beam echo sounder
Report compliance issues to authorities
Undertake benthic surveys
Undertake scuba diving
Use underwater slate boards
Undertake species type and behaviour observation and reporting
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
Undertake archaeological surveys
Assist with laboratory work
Undertake coastal based survey
Undertake invertebrate surveys
Use binoculars
Towed behind a vessel using a manta-tow
Assisting with catch, tag and release of marine species
Liaise with research project stakeholders
Undertake species observations and cataloguing via video or photo
Undertake image processing
Undertake Global Coral Reef Marine Network (GCRMN) surveys
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
(Please list here)
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
19. 
In your view, who benefits from marine research tourism? (Please select those that apply)
Very likely Likely Possibly Not likely Cannot say (not enough information)
The marine research tourist
Marine tour operators
Government marine research agencies
Marine management agencies
Conservation organisations
Indigenous Australian organisations
Professional marine educators
Local communities
Professional marine educators
Dive training organisations
Private marine researchers
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
23. Do you believe that marine research programs on marine research tourism tours should always be pertinent to Government marine research or management priorities? (Please select one)

 
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
24. 
In your view, what types of popular marine research would appeal to marine research tourists? (Please select those that apply)
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
Dolphin research
Whale research
Turtle research
Shark research
Seal research
Penguin research
Coral reef research
Dugong research
Ship wreck research
Sea dragon research
Coral reef spawning research
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
26. It is possible that marine research tourism ventures can involve popular marine science that does not always address current Government marine research or management priorities.



For example, at a certain location, marine research tourism programs may focus on charismatic dolphin, whale or turtle populations whereby a Government's marine research priorities may be water pollution and the sustainability of local dugong populations.



In your view, is this an occurrence that could possibly restrict any Government involvement in marine research tourism? (Please select one option)
 
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
27. Often, the quality of marine research programs is indicated by related academic publications and conference presentations.



In your view, how important are academic publications and conference presentations to a marine research tourism venture? (Please select one)

 
Important and essential Important but not essential Not important Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
28. 
A major segment of Australia's marine research program is Government funded.



In your view, could increased academic publications or conference presentations from marine research tourism ventures be an incentive for Governments to be further involved in marine research tourism ventures? (Please select one)
 
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
29. 
In your view, how important is the involvement of Government marine management agencies in marine research tourism across Australia?

(Please select those that apply)
Important and essential Important but not essential Not important Cannot say (not enough information)
In the present
In the future
 
 
30. 
In your view, how important is the involvement of Government marine research agencies in marine research tourism across Australia?

(Please select those that apply)
Important and essential Important but not essential Not important Cannot say (not enough information)
In the present
In the future
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
32. In a number of cases, a marine research tourism experience has been shown to appeal to everyday marine tourists.



In your view, how likely can the commercial viability of existing marine tourism operators be improved by introducing one or more marine research tourism experiences? (Please select one)

 
Very likely Likely Possibly Not likely Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
34. It has been proposed that marine research tourism in Australia can be used to distinguish the Australian marine tourism product from competing marine research tourism products overseas.



Do you think that developing marine research tourism across Australia can be used to effectively compete with overseas marine tourism attractions?

 
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
35. Marine research tourism is described as a possible way to successfully diversify marine tourism in Australia.



Do you think that marine research tourism is a tourism product that can be used to successfully diversify marine tourism in Australia? (Please select one)

 
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
36. 
In your view, how influential is a World Heritage, national park or reserve area as an attraction for prospective marine research tourists to that area? (Please select one)
 
Highly influential Moderately influential Possibly influential Not very influential Other (Please specify)  
 
 
37. In your view, what are the constraints for expanding marine research tourism across Australia? (Please select those that apply)



Very important Important Somewhat important Not important Cannot say (not enough information)
Seasonality of wildlife migrations and hence wildlife marine research
The potential risk of unsafe and uncomfortable weather and ocean conditions
The potential risk of dangerous marine wildlife to marine researchers, tourists and marine tour operators
There is a logistics related need for marine research tourism ventures to be based near a town or other tourism centre
Increasing costs of diesel fuel and related hindrance long distance marine travel
The size and nature of the marine research tourism market in Australia is not well known
The motivations and requirements for satisfying marine research tourists is not well known
Australia has a very large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
39. In your view, what issues concern you most about expanding marine research tourism across Australia? (Please select those that apply)?



Very important Important Somewhat important Not important Cannot say (not enough information)
Uncertainty as to the quality of marine research by tourists
The collaboration required between marine researchers, marine managers and marine tour operators
A shortage of skilled marine research tourists to undertake quality marine research
A shortage of marine researchers with suitable tourism and hospitality skills
Occupational health and safety issues for volunteer tourists who are involved in marine research programs
Keeping the tourist satisfied while undertaking marine research programs
A shortage of marine researchers with suitable entrepreneurial skills
A shortage of interested marine tour operators
Public liability insurance
Limited marketing and promotion of marine research tourism ventures
Acquiring or approving marine research permits
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
41. In your view, how important are the following factors to any development of marine research tourism across Australia?



(Please select those that apply)

Very important Important Somewhat important Not important Cannot say (not enough information)
Australia has a relatively advanced marine research sector
Australia has a relatively mature marine tourism industry
Sufficiently trained and experienced volunteer tourists can effectively perform basic to advanced marine monitoring and surveys
Australia has a relatively well managed marine environment
Australia has a large coastline and ocean region
Australia has a wealth of marine wildlife and other marine assets
Marine research tourism experiences appear to be sought after by well educated and well travelled markets
International tourists coming to Australia are increasingly likely to be from Asia.
International tourists are rapidly increasing in travel experience and thus are increasingly likely to be independent travellers
There is insufficient knowledge about the potential future for marine research tourism across Australia
The involvement of Australian Federal and State Government in the sponsorship of marine research tourism
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
43. 

It is proposed that a successful marine research tourism venture should satisfy the needs of the marine researcher, the marine manager, the marine tour operator, and the marine tourist.



Please indicate how much you agree with this statement? (Please select one)
 
Not very Somewhat Moderately Very much
 
 
44. A marine research tourism guide role is envisioned to be a paid role that ensures that the many needs of marine researchers, managers, tour operators and tourists are met?



In your view, is there an opportunity for a marine research tourism guide role within a marine research tourism venture? (Please select one)
 
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
45. In many cases, marine research tourism ventures require a skilled and educated tourist.



Such skills include; the identification of species and habitats, survey and monitoring techniques, data recording, scientific diving, boat handling and safety, and computer skills.



In these cases, do you think that there is a potential commercial opportunity to train and educate prospective marine research tourists? (Please select one)


 
Yes Maybe No Cannot say (not enough information)
 
 
46. In your view, what are the driving forces behind marine research tourism? (Please select those that apply)

Very likely Likely Possibly Not likely Cannot say (not enough information)
An increase in the conservation volunteering ethic within the travel market
An increasingly educated travel market who are interested in more active experiences
An increasing desire for environmentally responsible travel within the travel market
An increasing desire for an alternative travel experience with the travel market
The effect of marine documentaries on public awareness for a marine research experience
A need for increased funding by marine research and management agencies
A greater need for marine research and monitoring of Australian marine waters
Increasingly safe and comfortable marine tourism ventures
Marine research technology that is increasingly advanced and easier to use
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Australian indigenous people
   
Conservation NGO groups
   
Marine education societies
   
 
 
 
Please give example here
   
Please give example here
   
Please give example here
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
52. Given your knowledge, the information you have provided for this survey and the other information on the marine research tourism web site



Do you have a view that marine research tourism could be notably expanded across Australia? (Please select one)

 
Yes Probably Maybe Probably not No
 
 
53. Can you give us your view about the adopted definition for marine research tourism.





Marine research tourism is a form of marine ecotourism that provides an opportunity for paying tourists and/or volunteers to participate in marine research activity (adapted from Benson, 2005). Features of a marine research tourism venture are:



1. Marine research is an important part of the attraction

2. There are researchers who are engaged in official marine research pursuits

3. There is an official research centre that supports research activity

4. The tourist is actively involved in the marine research experience

5. There is research supervision for any tourist marine research activity





Criteria for this definition include:



1) Delineating marine research tourism from other forms of tourism such as educational tourism, volunteer tourism and wildlife tourism

2) Marine research tourism should be beneficial to marine research

3) The quality of research from marine research tourism is quality assured

4) The tourist is focused on marine research activity that occurs in the vicinity



Some implications of this definition include:



1) Active tourism involvement can range from observation of marine research activity to full participation in advanced marine research activity

2) Provided the marine research is qualified, the supervision of marine research tourists can be minimal

3) A marine research tourism venture does not have to always involve coastal or marine based field work

4) A marine research tourism venture can involve land based marine research laboratories and aquaria



Please note, for this research, a marine research tourism venture should last for one or more days, be advertised publicly, take paying tourists or volunteers, and operate on a commercial basis.



References



Benson, A. (2005). Research tourism: Professional travel for useful discoveries. In M. Novelli (Ed.), Niche tourism: Contemporary issues, trends and cases. (pp. 133-144). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Do you agree with this definition of marine research tourism?
Yes Maybe No
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
56. 
Last question:



Would you be interested in follow up discussions to determine future scenarios for marine research tourism across Australia?



If so please e-mail Peter at [email protected]






Thank you for completing this survey.
 

If you have questions about this survey please contact Peter Wood at [email protected] or please go to the marine research tourism web site.
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