Integrating aquatic ecosystem services into economic models for sustainable coastal tourism development

Abstract

Sustainable development of coastal tourism requires incorporating aquatic ecosystem services into economic models. This paper examines the feasibility of integrating ecosystem services (water quality, biodiversity, and coastal protection) into economic models to advance long-term, sustainable tourism practices. The idea of natural capital is taken as the starting point, with the focus on the intrinsic worth of the coastal ecosystem as a contributor to tourism and local livelihoods. The research objectives include assessing the economic significance of aquatic ecosystem services, determining their role in coastal tourism, and developing a framework for incorporating them into economic decision making. Some methods involve a mixed-methods approach, economic valuation, ecosystem services evaluation, and stakeholder consultation to collect both quantitative and qualitative information. The findings suggest that coastal tourism depends heavily on aquatic ecosystems, which are often underappreciated, as they provide essential services to the tourism sector, such as habitat for marine organisms, shoreline stabilization, and water purification. Nevertheless, the study also finds that the services are often undervalued by conventional economic approaches, resulting in excessive use of coastal resources. The paper suggests the following recommendations for integrating ecosystem services into tourism planning, emphasizing the need for a policy that supports ecological protection alongside economic development.