CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHALE WATCHING: TOURIST’S PERCEPTION IN ISLAS MARIETAS, NAYARIT, MÉXICO

This paper reports upon data obtained from tourist perception research project related to whale-watching tourists during the 2010–2011 season near the Marietas Islands, off Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In particular, questions about climate change and about the feasibility of compensation by the purchase of carbon bonds were asked. A total of 136 on-site tourist surveys were conducted to evaluate the perception of tourists about climate change. These were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The perception of tourists is that they recognize that their actions negatively affect the marine ecosystem because of the greenhouse gas emissions produced during their touristic activities. It was acknowledged that this is especially the case for tourists who came from developed countries. It was also found that the studied tourists claim to be willing to change their lifestyle, in order to continue to have the opportunity to engage in activities such as whale watching. Addition-ally, they would support the purchase of carbon bonds in order to help conserve resources, mitigate, and adapt to climate change