Diving Ecotourism as Climate Change Communicating Means: Greek Diving Instructors’ Perceptions

Abstract

Climate change and loss of biodiversity are some of the most significant challenges in coastal areas. It is therefore imperative to design effective adaptation and mitigation strategies to achieve ecological sustainability patterns. The Diving Community could become powerful change agents to tackle and mitigate climate change; and thus marine ecosystems’ extinction. This research provides an extensive literature review to link the benefits of diving ecotourism. The issue as to whether diving tourism can be a tool to promote sustainability in coastal regions is also investigated. Based on face-to-face interviews with diving instructors who work in Greek Diving Centers, this survey also revealed their perceptions of diving tourism and climate change. The most important findings of the research revealed that Greek diving instructors appeared to have the perceptions that “Diving tourism can be a means of promoting education and communication on climate change” (mean = 4.2),“Diving training promotes responsible environmental behavior” (mean = 4.02), “Diving tourism promotes the conservation of ecosystems in the area” (mean = 4), “Diving tourism promotes sustainability and can therefore promote campaigns to reduce the impact of climate change” (mean = 3.82), and “Diving training can promote strategies to reduce the impact of climate change” (mean = 3.77). Through the findings of the survey it was concluded that diving ecotourism could play a vital role in promoting mitigation and adaptation strategies in coastal areas. Consequently, Greek diving instructors are key players in raising awareness of climate change in coastal areas.