Media in coral reef tourism management: Indications from online travel magazines

Coral reefs are some of the most fragile environments on the planet, and also the most susceptible to change. Unfortunately, they have been in decline for so me time (Hughes et al., 2003), and change is occurring faster than reefs can cope with on two fronts. First, climate change-induced coral bleaching presents a massive threat to coral reefs (Hoegh- Guldberg et al., 2007). Climate change also has an effect on weather systems, which can lead to an increased prevalence and intensity of wind storms such as hurricanes and tropical cyclones (Webster et al., 2005), which can damage coral reef ecosystems (De’ath et al., 2012). Second, reefs attract tourism development and tourists. As other chapters in this book have highlighted, tourist activities on coral reefs can cause significant damage through poor boating management, poor quality coastal developments, inappropriate fishing and pollution (Saphier & Hoffmann, 2005; Danovaro et al., 2008; Sarmento & Santos, 2012). Although sometimes part of the problem, humans can also be part of the solution. This chapter focuses on the impact of tourism in changing natural environments, and particularly how these tourism impacts could be better managed through understanding the media’s role in generating expectations of experiences and behaviours. This understanding might also assist in modifying tourist behaviours that are considered to negatively impact coral reefs.