Coral Reef Valuation and Perceptions of the Tourism Industry in Akumal, Mexico

Natural resources are utilized and valued differently by various individuals and groups in coastal destinations. This creates a challenge for tourism planners and natural resource managers. Understanding values and perceptions that surround unique resources in tourism destinations hold answers to implementing effective management techniques. The purpose of this research was to study the values that visitors and local residents have toward the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) in Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, a coastal community located on the Yucatán peninsula. Data were collected during May 2005 from two distinct groups who utilize the unique coral reef resource for different reasons. The study sample included visitors (n= 98), and local residents (n= 21). Information was obtained from the visitors at three local dive shops. Survey days and times were coordinated with the dive shop managers and a convenient random sample technique was employed. The local residents were chosen randomly at various tourism establishments (e.g.: restaurants, hotels and shops) in the town and they provided responses through individual interviews. The findings hold positive implications for tourism management and future research in this region. This study reveals that visitors are concerned about valuing the reef for conservation but they are not completely satisfied with dive shop programs. By refocusing their efforts, dive shops could enhance their business and aid in the sustainable development of this region which depends upon proper resource management.

Author dc:creator

• Herring, Christina Marie

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Dr. Gene Brothers, Committee Chair
• Dr. Yu-Fai Leung, Committee Member
• Dr. Beth Wilson, Committee Member

• Principal Components Analysis
• Importance Performance Analysis
• Mexico
• natural resources
• visitors
• tourism
• residents
• coral reef

Statement dc:rights

• I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to NC State University or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report.

Dc Identifier Other

etd-04272006-165731

OAI record oai:identifier

https://repository.lib.ncsu.edu/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Arepository.lib.ncsu.edu%3A1840.16%2F800