Ecotourism or Ecotour-ish? Evaluation of Marine-Based Ecotourism in Marine Protected Areas of Baja California Sur

This study focuses on the small, but growing marine-based ecotourism industry in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. The current nature of this particular industry, small and expanding, creates an ideal opportunity to evaluate the existing marine ecotourism operations, and utilize the information to modify operations and set precedence for the future marine ecotourism industry. The aim of this evaluation is to provide a glimpse of the current industry in Baja California Sur by evaluating marine ecotourism operations in three locations, Laguna San Ignacio, La Paz, and Cabo Pulmo. Since prior evaluations are limited, and only focus on a single location, this evaluation will cover multiple locations and serve as an overview of the current marine ecotourism industry, providing marine ecotourism operators, local communities, NGOs, and protected area managers an indication of where the marine ecotourism industry in Baja California Sur is succeeding, and where modifications can be made to further reduce negative environmental impacts and maximize socio-economic benefits for the local community