Bring on Marine Eco-Tourism!

Posted on 1 March 2012

Hong Kong is not just a shopping paradise. With Hong Kong Geopark gaining UNESCO status, it’s time to pay attention to the overlooked sector of marine eco-tourism – the city’s marine environment and society could benefit if it is done right.

Hong Kong, an erstwhile fishing village, still boasts a dazzling range of coastal and underwater natural resources. More than 70 percent of the territorial area is marine. Two hundred and thirty islands, more than one thousand fish species and over 80 hard coral species (more than the entire Caribbean) are found here. Sadly, local and overseas tourists are missing out on the beautiful coastal topography and underwater scenery. Why is this the case?

In 1996, the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (which has become the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) designated the first of four marine parks in Hong Kong. Over the past 15 years, however, the government has not actively promoted marine eco-tourism. There is no mention of the city’s unique marine spots for activities such as scuba diving and recreational fishing on Hong Kong Tourism Board’s official website, “Discover Hong Kong”. In fact, little effort has been put into eco-tourism in general. The government’s main focus is on the promotion of Hong Kong as a shopping and dining paradise, and boosting luxury consumerism.

But Hong Kong has far more to offer. The city surrounded by seas has the vast potential to develop marine eco-tourism. “We have already got the hardware, such as public piers and fishing vessels,” says Samantha Lee, WWF-Hong Kong’s Senior Conservation Officer, Marine. “Marine eco-tourism will bring considerable income and job opportunities. In addition to the economic benefits, it will also raise the public’s environmental consciousness.” This is crucial, because the transformation of unsustainable local fisheries into sustainable practices, such as marine eco-tourism, will help the public and the associated stakeholders realise that a healthy ocean is a key to ensuring continued economic revenue. This will create a collective effort to protect Hong Kong’s waters in the long run.

The trawling ban passed by the Legislative Council on 18 May 2011, which will help revive the ecosystem of local waters, provides an excellent opportunity to develop marine eco-tourism. Marine eco-tourism is an ideal alternative livelihood for the fishermen affected by the ban (see p.9 for details). According to a WWF-commissioned study done by the Fisheries Centre of The University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2007, the potential economic benefits brought by the trawling ban, including the vocational transformation of local fishermen, could reach up to HK$2.8 billion.

The city’s marine eco-tourism spots have the potential to become internationally renowned destinations. After all, it only took two years for Hong Kong Geopark to gain UNESCO status. However, Hong Kong’s eco-tourism , marine tourism in particular, has been lagging behind other Southeast Asian regions. Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines began promoting their marine eco-tourism industry decades ago. Every year, these popular travel destinations attract millions of visitors, including many from Hong Kong. Pulau Redang Marine Park in Malaysia, for example, brought the country a net income of HK$121 million between 1995 and 2005. In contrast, people in Hong Kong marine related businesses express frustration over the government’s inaction in supporting marine eco-tourism.

But is the water in Hong Kong clear enough for sea trips or diving activities? The answer is “yes”. “Many people think that we have to go overseas to enjoy underwater natural beauty. This is not always the case. There are still waters in Hong Kong such as Sai Kung,” says Stephen Au, professional diver and founder of Diving Adventure Limited, which is also a marine travel agency that has been established for more than a decade.

Hong Kong people are keen participants in marine-related activities. “In the peak season in summer, the Centre on average arranges sea trips for up to 200 people each day,” says Au. “Eco-tourism is now a big trend. A lot of people are interested in finding out more about the environment.” Other notable evidence of local support is during the SARS outbreak in 2003, many local travel agents launched various one-day eco-tours of Hong Kong, which were well received. There was up to 300,000 visitors to local marine parks that year.

Hong Kong people are avid ocean lovers as well. According to a survey done by WWF in 2008, 96 percent of the interviewees support the implementation of no-take zones in Hong Kong; 87 percent support the ban on commercial fishing in the four marine parks in Hong Kong, and about 60,000 people signed the petition urging the government to adopt more marine conservation measures.

“Many diving companies and travel agents offering eco-tours are actively promoting marine tourism, but with their limited resources they can’t promote it to overseas tourists,” says Lee. Au also shares a similar view: “There is no mention of marine activities in tourist brochures. Some overseas tourists who look for diving spots here can only enquire their hotels, which are sometimes not very well-informed either.”

Until the necessary software and government policy is in place, many locals and tourists will miss out on Hong Kong’s marine beauty and natural resources. The government should realise the potential economic return and the benefits that marine eco-tourism could bring, and take serious action to study the matter.

Bring on Marine Eco-Tourism!

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