Development of sustainable interpretive tourism activity in the maritime sector
(A2026-134175)

AUTHORS

Jos�e Laflamme, University of Quebec - Rimouski; Audrey Lebel, UQAR; Claude Rioux, UQAR

ABSTRACT

The influence of interpretation activities in a natural environment on the learning and long-term behavior of visitors, in a wildlife tourism context, has been raised in the literature. A Canadian national park wants to develop an interpretive experience of the seabed to make visitors aware of current environmental issues. The objective is to capture live videos of marine areas to share them with visitors in the form of an educational activity. Two techniques are being considered: underwater drone observation and scuba diving. Economic analysis by minimizing costs is the preferred methodology. The results conclude that underwater drone observation represents the best economic option over a minimum time horizon of four years. The contribution of this study is considerable at the practical level. It makes it possible to decide on the use of an innovative, non-invasive method of marine species observation, and sustainable observation of the seabed in the context of tourist education.