How Tos For Turtle Tourism: A Review of Sea Turtle Tourism, Its Impacts, and Guidelines to Inform Stakeholders in Martinique

Abstract

The Caribbean island of Martinique is a classic resort destination, attracting thousands of tourists to its beautiful beaches and diverse landscapes each year. Yet the recently declining tourism industry has prompted the country to begin developing a new tourism segment known as sea turtle tourism (STT) in order to reinvent its offerings. Little is known about the state of these nascent STT developments, and what threats they might pose to sea turtles and the community. As a result, stakeholders in Martinique are interested in developing a set of informed best practices to manage STT as it grows. This report will serve as a useful resource for stakeholders, by synthesizing the available literature regarding: 1) the scope of STT in and beyond the region; 2) the environmental impacts of STT; and 3) how STT is managed in practice. Finally, preliminary recommendations are provided, to encourage discussions of sustainable STT within Martinique’s boundaries.