Scuba diving and sustainable tourism development in a less developed country Melville Saayman & Andrea Saayman
Scuba diving and sustainable tourism development in a less developed country Melville Saayman & Andrea Saayman Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society North-West University November 2017 Montego Bay, Jamaica
Agenda Introduction Mozambique an introduction Literature review Method Results Conclusion
Introduction Scuba diving tourism has become a multibillion dollar industry that draws millions of people to explore the underwater world This has led to significant investments in various products from retail to education. Globally, there are more than 10 000 dive operators serving more than 6 million divers. However, little is known about diving in developing countries and especially very poor countries To what extent can scuba diving tourism alleviate poverty? The purpose of this paper is to gain greater insight into the spending behavior of scuba divers at Ponta do Ouro, in Mozambique, in order to determine how scuba diving can contribute to poverty alleviation.
Mozambique a background Mozambique has a history that includes slave trade, colonization and 15 years of civil war. It is a country with significant tourism potential. Tourism became the fastest growing sector of the economy after the end of the civil war.
Poverty prevalence in Mozambique Tazoacha (2001) and Addae- Korankye (2014) refers to poverty as the oldest and most resistant disease in developing countries. Poverty prevalence: 1995 70% (11 million) 2015 41-45% Lowest in the province where Ponta do Ouro is located Also where most of tourism development has been
Literature Review: Marine Tourism Marine tourism is defined as the intentional travel to participate in and experience water based areas and/ or activities. Marine tourism is the single largest sector of the tourism industry and entails a wide variety of activities such as swimming, surfing, sailing, paddling, water skiing, whale and dolphin watching, shark cage diving and scuba diving, to name but a few.
Scuba diving tourism has become a multi billion dollar industry that draws millions of people to explore the underwater world. Globally, there are more than 10 000 dive operators serving more than 6 million divers. The average diver in the US spends between US$100 and US$200 per day. Divers in Italy spend 110 a day of which 50% of the spending remains in the local economy. The US alone has 3.34 million divers valued at US$2.6 billion. In Australia scuba divers generate over $1 billion at the Great Barrier Reef. Divers in Sodwana Bay (South Africa) generate nearly US$30 million based on direct spending
Method of research: Study Area Ponta do Ouro Marine Protected Area (MPA) - established 2009 Part of the Ponta do Ouro-Kosi Bay Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) The most important leatherback and loggerhead turtle nesting area Untouched coral reefs, dolphins, sharks, tropical fish
Method Questionnaire and survey Socio-demographic characteristics Diving proficiencies Spending behaviour of scuba divers Survey March and September 2017: Scuba divers who have just completed dives at the Ponta 258 completed Statistical analysis Two-step clustering method using total spending country of residence level of diving experience Differences between the clusters investigated using: Pearson s chi-square and Cramer s V (effect size) Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni s post-hoc
Results N % of Combined Mean Cluster 1 46 30.9% 12 320.13 2 17 11.4% 50 825.29 3 42 28.2% 10 893.38 4 44 29.5% 11 590.45 Combined 149 100.0% 16 095.69
Cluster 1: Sustainable neighbours South Africa (38%) Cluster 2: High-value colonisers Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, UK, USA, Zimbabwe Cluster 4: Future market South Africa (36%) 46.1 Cluster 3: Proficient internationals Australia, Austria, France, Grece, India, Mosambique, Russia, South Africa (26%), Switzerland 45.6 37.2 Male (66.7%) Male (88.2%) Male (83.3%) Male (62.8%) Marital status Divorced (33%) Married (33%) Single (29%) Divorced (33%) Married (9%) Single (12%) Widow (100%) Divorced (17%) Married (31%) Single (26%) Divorced (17%) Married (28%) Single (33%) Education Secondary (34.8%) Diploma (31.6%) Degree (32.2%) PostGraduate (22.2%) Secondary (4.3%) Diploma (10.5%) Degree (16.9%) PostGraduate (7.4%) Secondary (26.1%) Diploma (26.3%) Degree (25.4%) PostGraduate (37.0%) Secondary (34.8%) Diploma (31.6%) Degree (25.4%) PostGraduate (33.3%) Nights 6.0 8.2 5.0 6.3 First-time visitor 25% 14% 28% 34% Years diving 8.1 4.8 13.6 3.4 Origin country Age Gender 34.3
Diving level Cluster 1: Sustainable neighbours Cluster 2: High-value colonisers Advanced (84%) Beginner (8%) Advanced (16%) Rescue (12%) Dive Master (4%) Instructor (17%) Cluster 3: Proficient internationals Rescue (88%) Dive Master (96%) Instructor (83%) Cluster 4: Future market Beginner (92%) Dives logged 130.7 324.8 1 071.1 22.2 Scuba dives R 2 402.39 R 8 305.88 R 2 348.81 R 1 169.77 Dive course/training R 258.70 R 6 970.59 R 233.33 R 977.27 Accommodation R 2 778.26 R 5 129.41 R 2 252.50 R 3 030.23 Transportation R 1 943.48 R 20 064.71 R 2 859.80 R 2 125.58 Shopping R 921.74 R 3 898.82 R 1 288.10 R 985.23 Food & beverages R 1 730.43 R 2 491.18 R 1 062.62 R 1 272.73 Diving insurance R 93.37 R 0.00 R 168.57 R 124.55 Scuba R 1 588.04 R 2 588.24 R 375.95 R 860.23 equipment/gear Hiring scuba gear R 320.78 R 117.65 R 199.29 R 614.77 Other activities R 217.72 R 1 258.82 R 260.71 R 426.82 Other expenses R 65.22 R 0.00 R 19.05 R 120.45
Findings Four clusters that are identifiable and differ in spending behaviour, which typify scuba divers at Ponta de Ouro Two South African markets important to keep good relations with neighbouring country in the effort to alleviate poverty. Cluster 1 = current sustainable market Highest spending market consists of divers mainly from countries which colonised the African continent maybe a better understanding of the local conditions and keen to maintain the connection.
Findings Scuba divers spend significant amounts in Mozambique on products and services offered by locals, contributing to income creation and poverty alleviation. A great opportunity for the inhabitants of Ponta de Ouro to benefit from tourism Does not require lots of infrastructure and relies on a natural resource that Linkages between the scuba diving industry and the typical tourism sectors, i.e. accommodation, transport and catering.
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