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Stakeholder perceptions of indicators of tourism use and codes of conduct in a coastal protected area in Alaska

Formally Refereed

Abstract

This article focuses on a collaborative approach for addressing impacts of watercraft-based tourism in Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, Alaska. This approach is the Wilderness Best Management Practices (WBMP) and involves codes of conduct for managing use in this area. This article examines use-related indicators that stakeholders prioritize for inclusion in the WBMP and stakeholder motivations for complying with these codes of conduct. Interviews with tour operators, agency personnel, cruise industry representatives, and local residents showed that vessel use levels, noise, pollution, and impacts on wildlife (e.g., seals) were important social and environmental indicators. Economic and institutional indicators were considered to be less important and included opportunities for inclusive stakeholder communication. Motivations for compliance mainly involved self-interest reasons (e.g., company image, public relations), but some stakeholders were motivated by peer pressure, awareness, and a sense of stewardship.

Keywords

indicators, codes of conduct, use levels, prism of sustainability, stakeholders, protected areas

Citation

Pomeranz, Emily F.; Needham, Mark D.; Kruger, Linda E. 2013. Stakeholder perceptions of indicators of tourism use and codes of conduct in a coastal protected area in Alaska. Tourism in Marine Environments. 9(1-2): 95-115.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/45828