Environmental perception of tourist services and environmental service provided by the coral reef in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

In this environmental perception study, we present the comparison of the local tourist guides awareness of the coral reef from three different localities of Huatulco's bays (La Entrega, San Agustín y Maguey). The interviews target the following aspects: the perception and knowledge of the local tour guides within the coral reef; and how their activities impact this marine ecosystem. In two of the regions, La Entrega and San Agustín, the local tourist guides showed environmentally friendly approaches where they supported sustainable practices. However, Maguey ?s local tourist guides were not highly focused in the conservation of the natural resources of the coral reef. Fina-lly, we present an educational strategy to find an environmentally friendly balance bet-ween the tourist activities and the coral reef. By training our local tourism guides, we will help to protect the marine ecosystem and promote its sustainable management.