Coastal tourism is a growing phenomenon, however, if it is not managed correctly, it can have a considerable impact on ecosystems and local environments. The infrastructure built for coastal tourism can often damage habitats, making certain coastal areas more vulnerable to rising sea levels. Furthermore, increased pollution can also be due to increased coastal tourism. With all this in mind, it is crucial that when traveling to coastal areas, we are mindful of the aforementioned risks and that we promote sustainability practices to ensure that we can continue to enjoy coastal environments for a long time to come. 

Not contributing to destructive industries 

Tourism near coastal areas is becoming all the more common. Much of the infrastructure that is built in tourist areas, such as hotels and other buildings, often disrupts ecosystems and contributes to the destruction of beaches and wetlands if inadequately regulated. This can result in numerous detrimental impacts, not only for local ecosystems but also the loss and destruction of such habitats, which may make areas more vulnerable to storms and rising sea levels (Sustainable Travel International, 2024). As climate change is contributing to rising sea levels and global temperatures, many low-lying islands and resorts are at high risk of flooding (CoastAdapt, 2024). With this in mind, it is crucial to do what we can to mitigate this developing trend. By adopting sustainable tourism practices that do not destroy local habitats and raising our voices to increase accountability so that large corporations act more responsibly. 

Pollution associated with coastal tourism

A common consequence discussed in the context of coastal tourism refers to pollution. There are two that are notably important to mention. The first is plastic, which has catastrophic impacts on most environments and ecosystems, not least those in coastal areas. It can be a danger to sea life and ecosystems (Pew Charitable Trusts, 2018). Plastic pollution in the sea also breaks down into microplastics, near-invisible particles that are considerable threats to not only marine life but also the long-term public health of humans (National Ocean Service, 2024). With that said, when traveling anywhere, albeit especially near coastal areas, avoid single-use plastics. Use reusable water bottles and other utensils, and use tote bags rather than plastic bags. Another considerable pollutant associated with tourism is sunscreen, something rarely spoken of. Most sunscreens contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, something not only toxic for humans – but coral reefs. This often dissolves into the water when swimming, damaging local ecosystems (Rubicon, 2024). With this in mind, opt for other sunscreens, notably mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, to protect your skin from sun damage without causing detrimental impacts on marine environments. 

Engage in Eco-Friendly Activities:
When traveling around coastal areas, we frequently engage in activities that may have considerable harm to local environments, even if it is unknown or unintentional. One such thing is motorized water sports or renting boats. To mitigate that impact, we can rent kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling and so on. By doing so, we can enjoy local coastal and marine environments without considerable damage to the environment. Furthermore, when we partake in tours, we can search for tours that have various sustainability certificates. As an example, Green Fins is one such initiative that utilizes sustainable diving and snorkeling practices (Green Fins, 2024). 

Be mindful of Wildlife and Ecosystems:

When traveling to exotic coastal areas with diverse wildlife, there are many things we may unintentionally do that can cause damage to local environments and wildlife. With that said, some things are important to keep in mind. Keep a distance between yourself and wildlife, avoid touching corals, and do not feed animals – in other words, do not interfere with habitats in any way (National Geographic, 2024). Unfortunately, likely, we will always have some form of impact on local environments. Therefore we can do other positive things to contribute to the well-being of coastal environments such as participating in beach clean-ups (Newport Fun Tours, 2024). 

In conclusion, it is crucial that we promote responsible coastal tourism to preserve marine ecosystems and biodiversity. On an individual level, there are many choices we make – for example, avoiding single-use plastics and reef-safe sunscreen to mitigate our individual impact. Furthermore, we can encourage the use of eco-friendly activities such as kayaking or other sustainable tours rather than motorized activities. Through mindful actions and advocacy for sustainable coastal tourism, we and future generations can enjoy coastal areas. 

Bibliography: 

CoastAdapt (2024) Climate change impacts on coastal tourism. Available at: https://coastadapt.com.au/factsheets/climate-change-impacts-coastal-tourism.

Green Fins (2024) Sustainable diving and snorkeling practices. Available at: https://greenfins.net/.

National Geographic (2024) 6 tips to make your next beach trip more sustainable. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/6-tips-to-make-your-next-beach-trip-more-sustainable.

National Ocean Service (2024) What are microplastics? Available at: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html.

Newport Fun Tours (2024) Eco-friendly tourism in Newport Beach: How to enjoy the water responsibly. Available at: https://newportfuntours.com/eco-friendly-tourism-in-newport-beach-how-to-enjoy-the-water-responsibly.

Pew Charitable Trusts (2018) Plastic pollution affects sea life throughout the ocean. Available at: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2018/09/24/plastic-pollution-affects-sea-life-throughout-the-ocean#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20up,suffocation%2C%20starvation%2C%20and%20drowning.

Rubicon (2024) Tips for a sustainable beach trip. Available at: https://www.rubicon.com/blog/tips-for-sustainable-beach-trip.

Sustainable Travel International (2024) Beaches and coasts: Sustainable travel solutions. Available at: https://sustainabletravel.org/our-work/beaches-coasts/.