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A survey on notable statements by key stakeholders towards the present and future of marine research tourism in Australia


Introduction

This survey is part of PhD research project at the James Cook University into the potential development of marine research tourism in Australia.   Marine research tourism is defined as marine tourism where marine research is an important part of the tourist attraction.   12 examples of marine research tourism can be found at this PDF document.   Information about this PhD is at this research proposal web page.

The survey lists 180 notable statements by individual key stakeholders about the desired future for marine research tourism in Australia. Many of these individual statements address important issues, concerns, benefits and opportunities for marine research tourism in Australia. If these statements are validated (or otherwise) by a representative group of key stakeholders, they should form a useful basis for the appropriate development of marine research tourism in Australia. For this PhD, these validated statements will be used to develop future scenarios, objectives and broad level strategic plans for Australian marine research tourism.

The survey

The purpose of this survey is to ask a representative group of key stakeholders about their views towards these 180 individual statements. While the number of statements is large, please favourably consider taking this survey, as the results of this survey could be used to inform any notable development of marine research tourism in Australia. The majority of survey questions are multiple choice.

As a key stakeholder, you will be asked questions about your level of agreement with, and thoughts regarding those statements. When answering, you are asked to imagine yourself as a person who has notable influence over the future development of marine research tourism in Australia. In this role, your answers would have a notable influence on the future direction of marine research tourism in Australia. When deciding upon your answers, you are asked to balance your belief in those statements with your estimate of the real world resources that would be required to develop and sustain, the principles or actions inherent in those statements.

For the multiple choice questions, if you read a statement that you agree or disagree with and also consider it to be very important, then please choose either the strongly agree or strongly disagree choice. If you read a statement that you agree or disagree with but only consider it to be fairly important, then please choose either the agree or disagree choice. If you read a statement and you are unsure if you agree or disagree with it, but still consider it to be fairly important to you, then choose the maybe choice.

If you read a statement that you do not consider to be important at all then please choose the not important choice. If you read a statement that you do not clearly understand then choose the statement is not clear to me choice. Finally, if you believe that you are not familiar enough with the topic to suitably comment, then choose the cannot say choice.

Most questions are multiple choice questions (i.e. tick and flick questions). Some questions are open text to allow comments if needed. This survey is broken up into 17 topics. These topics loosely represent the various statement themes that were provided by key stakeholders.

The estimated time taken to complete the survey is between 40 and 60 minutes. Please aim to complete all the questions. This survey is voluntary, anonymous and completely confidential.


Your views are very much appreciated.


Additional information

Please note, this survey will time out after 60 minutes of no survey activity. You will receive a message 15 minutes before this 60 minute timeout.

It has been suggested that the survey may be easier to undertake, if you download the survey from here, print the survey, read from that printed copy, and then input the answers into this online version of the survey.

If you have questions at any time about the survey, please contact Peter Wood at 07 4042 1762 or at [email protected].

If you have any questions regarding the ethical conduct of the research project, please contact the James Cook University Ethics Officer, Tina Langford on 07 4781 4342 or [email protected].

This survey is part of PhD research project at the James Cook University titled ‘Development of marine research tourism across Australia’. For more information on the PhD, please read the PhD information sheet.


This research is supported by the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre, established by the Australian Commonwealth Government.
 
 
 
Please tell us about your occupation?


Would you describe yourself as a? (Please tick as many boxes that apply)
 
Marine research tour operator
 
Marine research tourism consultant
 
Marine researcher
 
Marine manager
 
Marine tour operator
 
Representative of a marine research society
 
Representative of a marine education society
 
Representative of an environmental conservation organisation
 
Representative of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander management organisation
 
Representative of a tourism organisation
 
Marine research student
 
Scuba dive operator
 
Other
 

 
 
 
Which State of Australia (or elsewhere) do you reside in?
Northern Territory South Australia Tasmania Western Australia Queensland New South Wales Victoria Australian Capital Territory Other  
 
 
 
The next part of this survey asks you questions about your level of agreement and thoughts about a number of individual statements.

These individual statements represent the views of 54 individual key stakeholders about the desired future for marine research tourism in Australia.

For convenience, these statements have been broken up into 17 different topics, namely;

1.   Personal vision statements
2.   Environmental topics
3.   Community involvement
4.   Education and interpretation
5.   Research quality
6.   Key stakeholder concerns
7.   Marine researcher involvement
8.   The role of marine research in marine research tourism
9.   The marine research tourist
10. The marine research attraction
11. The role of the media
12. Support infrastructure
13. A marine research tourism guide role
14. Good business principles
15. Proposed business aspirations
16. Marine research tourism broker and trail
17. Time related aspirations

Remember to answer the questions as if you are a person who has notable influence over the future development of marine research tourism in Australia.

Choose the strongly agree (or strongly disagree) option only if you consider that statement to be very important to you and you agree (or disagree) with it.
 
 
 
Topic 17. Personal vision statements
 
 
The below personal vision statements statement have been provided by key stakeholders for this research.

On a scale of 1 to 7 please indicate how much you like each of the following personal vision statements.

The choice of a '1' will indicate that you do not like that value statement and a '7' indicates that you do like that value statement very much.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Marine research tourism is a representation of marine tourism evolving into a more meaningful and connecting experience for all participants.
Given the size of Australia EEZ, the Australian marine research program and infrastructure is relatively low. Marine research tourism can be used to advance marine research and its infrastructure across Australia.
Marine research tourism will create many varied opportunities for people to enjoy and learn about the beauty, richness and complexity of our local marine environment.
The Australian marine research tourism industry should aim to make real changes for the environment and the sustainable use of marine resources in Australia and throughout the world.
Marine research tourism should promote environmental conservation and cultural appreciation, and give an insight into scientific methods that assist conservation.
Marine research tourism in Australia should provide leadership in the sensitive, sustainable and integrated use, management and conservation of the marine environment and marine resources.
Marine research tourism should aim to serve the participants involved, and works to heal the marine entity it is researching. A principle aim of marine research tourism is to get people working together to promote learning, respect and compassion in a way that helps to heal the planet for the benefit of all living beings.
Marine research tourism should encourage wide interest in, understanding of, celebration, and stewardship of the local marine and coastal environment.
Marine research tourism should seek to harness the tourism dollar and tourist's enthusiasm to assist marine research funding and access.
Marine research tourism ventures should seek to understand and adopt best practice environmental sustainably development (ESD) principles. Best practice ESD incorporates: futures thinking, the importance of good process (including transparency; identifying foreseeable costs and benefits), building capacity for individual and organisational change, critical thinking and reflection, innovation; mentoring and facilitation; genuine participation in decision making, and the formation of partnerships for change; and lifelong learning.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Australian marine research tourism will seek to provide the holiday of choice for people who want to help save the planet by saving the seas. By helping with the research in the field, participants will provide valuable support for post-graduate students and established researchers at Australia’s leading marine research institutions. The emerging concept will be popularised through magazines, TV travel-lifestyle programs and the internet, and will be marketed as long-term niche segment of the tourism market, not just a passing fad.
A guiding principle for marine research tourism should be ; Marine research tourism = marine research + tourism + conservation + management = improvement, restoration and protection in the well being of marine ecosystems + public stewardship of the marine environment with a goal to empower and restore marine ecosystems.
In the absence of adequate traditional funding sources, marine research tourism has the potential to become a corner stone of marine research facilitation in the next decade. By recognising the value of simplified observational research and the ability of travellers to contribute with minimal training to the wider outcomes of marine research and conservation projects, the marine research and environmental management community can reduce the limitations in research information and foster a valuable community resource.
All marine research tourism ventures would seek to develop the kinds of civic values and skills that empower all visitors, tourists and those involved in research and the tourism industry to be leaders in the transition to a sustainable future. It would engage all individuals in the research and tourism industry areas in on-going learning processes that build capacity and create strategies for change.
Over time, with suitable growth, marine research tourism's benefits will become evident to key stakeholders. These benefits will include; increasing signs of stakeholder cooperation, marine research outcomes, conservation outcomes, community benefits, increasing the numbers of tourists, education of tourists, documentaries, and stewardship of the marine environment. In turn, these benefits will act to increase the popularity and occurrence of marine research tourism across Australia.
In the not to distant future, marine research tourism will be considered desirable by many travellers and their peers.
Across Australia, marine research tourism can help develop time and place stories as they relate to nature conservation and humankind.
Marine research tourism should seek to offer an embarkation place for all human beings, at different stages in their understanding of the marine natural world, to enter a voyage of self discovery where they can further understand and enjoy their place and role in the marine natural world.
Marine research tourism is a new step forward in world tourism and can be a major contributor to world wide marine science and limiting the human impacts that are continuously present in any tourism operation.
 
 
 
The above personal vision statements for marine research tourism in Australia can be downloaded as this MS-Word document.

If you have comments about these various personal vision statements, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 1. Environmental topics
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Perhaps Disagree Strongly disagree Not important to me Cannot say Statement is not clear to me
Marine research tourism should always act to promote and create the most environmentally responsible tourism.
Marine research tourism should not only act to promote environmental sustainability and protection, but should act to promote the empowerment and restoration of nature.
If developed suitably, many marine managers may prefer marine research tourism over other forms of marine tourism because it is a ‘tread light’ version of tourism that aims for increased research/monitoring and public awareness benefits.
Without a clear link to a conservation goal, many marine biological studies would not appeal to tourists.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 2. Community involvement
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
Marine research tourism across Australia should have widespread and ongoing community involvement.
Marine research tourism has the potential to act as a catalyst for regional development through the involvement of skilled marine research professionals within the local community.
Marine research tourism has the potential to act as a catalyst for regional development through the investment in and benefits from local marine research.
When possible, it is important that marine research tourism actively involve Indigenous Australian's within the direction, development, operation and benefits of Australian marine research tourism.
It is important that marine research tourism in Australia actively engage with Indigenous Australians in the development of Indigenous focused marine research tourism businesses
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 3. Education and interpretation
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
By adding a marine research narrative to their interpretative program, marine tour operators can enhance the tourist's experience and add to the tourist attraction.
Marine research is a long term endeavour that is frequently set within a broad scientific context and this context needs to be carefully interpreted to tourists.
Marine research tourism should seek to improve the tourist’s knowledge, understanding and stewardship of the marine environment.
The marine research program of any marine research tourism venture should always seek to effectively analyse, develop and communicate the resulting knowledge to marine researchers, tourists and other key stakeholders.
All marine research tourism operators should reach a high level of competence in the interpretation of the marine research.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 4. Research quality
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
Marine research tourism ventures need to have clear, honest and achievable scientific goals.
Marine tour operators should always seek to broadly understand the marine research that they are associated with.
Marine tour operators should always seek to assist with the marine research that they are associated with.
Where possible, results from marine programs from marine research tourism ventures should be converted into public knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
All marine research tourism venture operators should ensure that the research they are conducting fits the following criteria: the data is acquired in an ethical manner, the data can be relied upon, the data is actually needed, the data is used, the venture engages with and benefits the local community, there is (or is credibly likely to be) a useful result, and when possible, the results should shared and published.
Until research from marine research tourism reliably meets the above conditions, many so-called research ventures will continue to be nothing more than glorified holiday packages jumping on the “eco” bandwagon, conning their customers and devaluing the efforts of genuine research ventures.
On marine research tourism ventures, provided marine researchers are provided with appropriate assistance to handle tourists, they can undertake quality marine research.
Given appropriate assistance, marine researchers can undertake quality marine research even if the tourist’s research data is relatively low quality.
For a marine research tourism venture, there needs to be a method to capture, assess and use the tourists own thoughts on future research directions and what they believe the key issues are for conservation.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 5. Stakeholder concerns
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.

Please note, some of these key stakeholder statements could be considered contentious by other stakeholders. These statements are included in this survey so as to further understand how wide spread these contentions may be.

Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
A limiting factor for marine research tourism is the culture and psychology of key stakeholders such as marine managers, marine researchers and marine tour operators.
The value of marine research tourism in both revenue and operational advantages has not been recognised by key sectors of the marine tourism industry.
Very few marine tour operators would be willing to change their existing product/itineraries to incorporate a research focus unless their business benefited from it somehow (e.g. financially).
Australia marine research tourism needs to protect its reputation. If marine research tourists go home and say the diving was OK, the food and the company were OK, but they were 'spare wheels' as far as the project was concerned, neither they nor their friends will be back for a repeat experience. They will just go diving instead or join a non-marine conservation project where they can make a real contribution.
A potential major barrier to developing marine research tourism in Australia is lower cost marine research tourism opportunities for tourists in other regions of the world.
Some Government departments behave as if they are not in favour of marine conservation and sometimes do not share marine research data with marine conservation projects.
The money being generated by a few marine research tourism companies had led the way for other companies to provide similar services. So, marine research tourism is a business driven model, not a sustainability of biodiversity model.
Therefore, for these marine research tourism ventures, it is not possible for marine research tourism to actually help the environmental situation unless they are modified to take more natural conditions and the welfare of the animals into consideration.
On marine research tourism ventures, often marine researchers and marine tour operators often have different priorities and perceptions of their roles. This can lead to a reluctance of marine tourism operators and marine researchers to work together.
Instead of being sceptical, the marine research and management community should recognise and promote the value of research and monitoring data acquired from marine research tourism ventures.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
If marine research tourism is not officially considered as important by marine research and/or management agencies, then the advancement of marine research tourism is limited.
Marine research tourism has often be used solely as a marketing tool with; no or low quality marine research outcomes or environmental benefit. There should be boundaries and guidelines for this.
Many marine tour operators state that they support marine research, but this is a misrepresentation, often there is an absence of a real research program with real research outcomes.
Australian government marine management and research organises often act to hinder rather than help the marine research tourism industry.
Whilst the research outcomes from some marine research tourism ventures can be poor, such ventures can have a quality educational outcomes, and this can be a satisfactory outcome.
The diversion of Government funds from pure research to research tourism will divide the academic and the tourism industry and this will reduce the possibility of collaboration between marine researchers and marine research tourism industry.
The cost of having a Government ranger to responsibly access restricted marine research destinations can be prohibitive for many marine research tourism operators.
Many marine tour operators would be unaware of the requirements to carry out quality marine research.
Professional marine research work can be repetitive, routine and hard work, and this will not appeal to many tourists.
Marine research that involves diving usually does not require a lot of people and tends to be hampered rather than helped by tourist 'assistance'.
Most professional marine researchers do not want tourists watching them while they work.
Marine research tourists should not be associated with marine research that requires a high level of ethical clearance (e.g. biopsies, DNA tagging, etc, some wildlife handling).
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 6. Marine researcher involvement
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
Hence, in many cases, resources for employment of extra marine researchers on marine research tourism ventures will need to come from the private market.
In most cases (except with highly trained tourists and marine tour operators), marine researchers are essential for coordinating and quality assuring the research, monitoring and survey activity.
Willing, skilled and available marine researchers can be considered as among the rarest essential commodities for marine research tourism.
Hence, the development of marine research tourism in Australia will be limited by the availability of willing and skilled marine researchers.
Without assistance, most professional marine researchers would be unwilling to participate in marine research tourism ventures. This is mainly because of reasons such as; the lack of financial returns to the researcher, the unavailability of many professional researchers to participate in periodic marine research tourism ventures, occupational health and safety issues that concern the tourist, and the handling of tourists.
Due to government funding constraints, one can assume that suitable financial or human resources for marine research tourism will not be available from existing marine research and management agencies.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 7. The role of marine research in marine research tourism
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
Given appropriate handling and insurance, marine research tourism should have the opportunity to appropriately lease and utilise existing and underused marine research equipment from research agencies on a regular basis.
Marine research tourism has the potential to support marine research that would otherwise not be done because of financial, human resource, logistics, and accessibility limitations.
A marine research tourism venture should add to the prestige and scientific reputation of the project among scientific peers of the researcher.
A marine research tourism venture should be seen by marine research and management organisations as a highly desirable, reliable and cost-effective aspect of research operation.
Supporting marine research tourism should become a mandated project area for Government marine research and management programs.
When compared to many marine research programs, the data collection on a marine research tourism venture can be more numerous, repetitive, ongoing and diversified.
Marine research tourism ventures and marine researchers should work collaboratively to obtain research grants that can be used to fund marine research tourism ventures.
Marine research tourism can be described as cashing in on conservation and earning from the marine environment. That is, the public's focus on conservation and the marine research environment can become a commercial advantage for research and tourism.
A marine research tourism venture must be strongly supported by the researcher’s host organisations in terms of logistics and requirements for occupational health, safety and environment.
Many staff who work on existing marine research tourism ventures are quite possibly interested in being a marine researcher.
For commercial reasons, some marine research tourism ventures may choose to have an emphasis on satisfying the needs of tourist rather than an emphasis on research outcomes.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 8: The marine research tourist
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
To promote marine research tourism, marine research tourism opportunities should be offered to people with a high public profile such as politicians, well known people in the community, and media personalities.
Where possible, marine research tourism in Australia should seek to ‘open the doors’ to the lay person and always make them feel welcome.
When on marine research tourism ventures, marine researchers should seek to recognise that there is quid pro quo for having people pay for the privilege of being involved with them.
Hence, marine researchers should recognise this important role of the tourist by always; treating them in a professional manner, communicating effectively and frequently, providing quality information about the marine research project, and thanking them for their contributions.
A marine research tourism experience can give the right individual tourist, a ‘religious’ experience and an emotional connection to the marine environment, that leads to greatly enhanced and long term environmental awareness, conservation values, conservation action and stewardship.
In such cases, individuals may then take up careers in marine research, conservation and management and be in a position to make a notable difference to marine research, conservation, management and tourism.
For sophisticated marine research programs, the most suitable marine research tourists are other scientists, trained volunteers and documentary makers.
The 'I always wanted to be a marine biologist' dream of many people is an important driver for marine research tourism. Marine research tourism should tap into that market.
Additionally, parents could provide an experience to their children who have expressed a desire to go to university to study to become a marine biologist.
Much marine research is too complicated for the public. To counter this, it is recommended that many marine research tourism ventures undertake more popular and discovery orientated marine research programs.
The Australian population may be too small to support the Australian marine research tourism. Hence, economically viable Australian marine research tourism industry will need to always attract international visitors.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 9. The marine research attraction
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
Marine tourists are clearly most interested in the iconic marine species (e.g. whales, sharks, turtles, and big fish). Tour operators know this and their marketing reflects it, so therefore, these species would have the greatest potential for developing marine research tourism.
To develop marine research tourism ventures that are focused on lesser charismatic wildlife and habitats, marine research tourism venture should seek to attract more knowledgeable and experienced travellers.
A possible marine research tourism venture with great potential is a complete terrestrial to marine tourism research package, where people get to see an overall picture of the links between the sea and land, and how the two are intertwined.
These days, many prospective marine research tourists have discovery channel expectations. To satisfy these tourists, they should receive an experience that satisfies those expectations.
As part of marine research tourism, marine researchers and the marine research environment are central parts of the tourist attraction.
Given appropriate crew, marine research tourism ventures should promote their crew as respected and renowned professionals in marine research.
The use of popular marine research technology such as satellite tagging, ultra sonic tagging, drop cameras, global positioning systems, geographical information systems, and remotely operated vehicles may interest and hence attract marine research tourists.
Such technology may also set the scene for the tourist, increase the tourist's interpretative experience, and entertain the tourist.
With appropriate training and supervision, some marine research tourists could have the opportunity to use such technology.
The marine research activity that occurs at many marine research facilities can be of great interest to general member of the public including tourists.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
Due to ongoing funding shortages, many remote marine research stations could financially benefit from appropriate involvement of marine research tourism.
Without interference in their marine research program, marine research stations could be provide an authentic marine research backdrop for marine research tourism ventures to operate near.
Without interference in their marine research program, marine research stations could be involved in the logistical support for marine research tourism.
Such marine research stations would likely be situated on islands and attractive coastal locations.
Such marine research stations would likely be near larger cities and busy tourism areas.
Without interference in their marine research program, some marine research stations could become suitable marine research tourism destinations.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 10. The role of the media
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.

Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
Conservation and marine discovery media (e.g. documentaries, news articles, holiday TV) is part of loop that drives demand in marine ecotourism including marine research tourism.
This combination of media and marine research tourism can act to assist in changing public awareness and increasing the public's interest in marine research, conservation and management.
This in turn can act to affect Government policy and action with regard to marine research, conservation and management.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 11. Support infrastructure
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
Marine research tourism should have strong supporting links with non Government conservation organisations. Example of these organisations are; the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the World Wildlife Fund, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
When compared to ocean based marine research tourism vessels, marine discovery centres are a lower cost way to bring the wonders of marine research and the environment to the public.
If they choose to, marine discovery centres can act to provide information services and trained people to marine research tourism ventures.
SCUBA divers and the SCUBA diver industry should be an important part of marine research tourism infrastructure and services in Australia.
In appropriate situations, marine research tourism ventures should act to promote philanthropic donations from travellers and organisations.
In the future, universities can play a major role in supporting, operating and benefiting from marine research tourism in Australia.
Many marine and coastal volunteer programs should be an important part of marine research tourism infrastructure and services in Australia.
For many marine research programs, the training required and legal ramifications can often be limiting factors for their involvement in marine research tourism.
There needs to be a viable business sector that organises, trains, and educates people in marine research so that they are able to be a help on many marine research programs rather than be a hindrance.
The long term development of marine research tourism in Australia should involve a broad network of marine research tourism ventures, marine discovery centres, community groups, volunteer groups, SCUBA groups, conservation agencies, marine research, and management agencies.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 12. A marine research tourism guide role
 
 
A marine research tourism guide role is envisioned to be a paid role that ensures that the many needs of marine researchers, managers, tour operators and tourists are met.

For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.

Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
A marine research tourism guide's formal career path could include development to marine tour operator, marine manager, marine researcher or similar roles.
A marine research tourism guide role could a formalised role within an organised Australian marine research tourism industry.
It has been proposed that a marine research tourism guide can act as a buffer between the marine researchers and tourists. Such a role could enable marine researchers to undertake quality marine research without most of the concerns of interacting with tourists.
A marine research tourism guide role could be filled by skilled people such as deck hands from local fishing businesses.
In Indigenous Australian communities, a marine research tourism guide role could often be filled by suitably skilled people from those communities.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 13. Good business principles
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
One important criterion for a stable marine research tourism venture is a long term permit for access and research to marine research areas.
Marine research tourism must be conducted in a moral, honest and professional manner that is mutually beneficial to operators, researchers, tourists and the environment.
There is a need to professionalise the marine research tourism industry in terms of staff, industry guidelines and service to tourists.
There is a need to professionalise the marine research tourism industry in terms of staff, industry guidelines and service to marine researchers and managers.
The marine tour operator should be empowered so they are capable to undertake the high quality marine research support, interpretation and hospitality tasks that are required for a marine research tourism venture.
Marine research tourism is a relatively new concept to Australia and its development would require a degree of public education in the media to increase desirability and participation.
To help adequately develop over Australia’s vast marine environment, marine research tourism should be undertaken in a co-coordinated and planned manner to increase its potency and effectiveness.
Effective networking and mutual benefits amongst stakeholders will ensure an active, creative and developing marine research tourism venture.
To expand marine research tourism in Australia, there needs to be a number of entrepreneurial developers and operators to develop and operate marine research tourism products.
Any notable development of marine research tourism in Australia should be based on sound assessments of market/consumer demand including examination of affordability and perceived value for money.
Marine research tourism in Australia should aim to be financially self-sustaining over the longer term (i.e. No or minimal ongoing financial support from Government/s).
Any notable investment in the development of marine research in Australia needs to be done in strategic manner.
 
 
 
If you have comments about the above topic, please write them in the below text box.      If not, please continue to the next topic.

   
 
 
 
Topic 14. Proposed business aspirations
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
It is somewhat surprising that there are not more marine research tourism ventures in Australia's southern temperate waters.
To explain this, it is proposed that this is because of the quality, diverse and interesting marine environments, the proximity of Australia’s major city centres, and marine research facilities in Southern Australia.
Undersea Explorer is often recognised as a good business model for marine research tourism. Is it reasonably to ask why similar ventures have not been developed elsewhere, and also, how can similar ventures be developed elsewhere?
Any initial proposal for developing marine research tourism across Australia should demonstrate a few working models and also start with a few successful ventures prior to any significant expansion and related funding.
To expand marine research tourism, there should be a memorandum of understanding between stakeholder organisations. Such a memorandum of understanding would allow for strength and diversity of opportunities, and increased stakeholder cooperation.
An effective marketing strategy needs to be developed for marine research tourism.
Marine research tourism in Australia should aim to link, learn from and support marine research tourism in developed and less developed countries across the World.
There needs to be a rigorous tender competition that licenses only quality assured marine research tourism operations and this will lead to the desired quality outcomes.
There is an opportunity to integrate and expand marine research tourism into other tourism packages such as package holidays, adventure travel, responsible holidays and more.
There is a potential opportunity for additional ecotourism certification whereby the desired marine research, marine management, conservation and public education benefits are significantly higher than many existing ecotourism accreditation principles.
To get permitted research access to Government restricted research areas, a marine research tourism venture would need to demonstrate that they have high ecotourism accreditation levels.
To get permitted research access to Government restricted research areas, a marine research tourism venture would need to demonstrate that their marine research is of a high quality.
To get permitted research access to Government restricted research areas, a marine research tourism venture would need to demonstrate that their research knowledge will be shared with the tourist and marine research community.
There should be an industry guideline as to what constitutes marine research tourism.
 
 
 
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Topic 15. Marine research tourism broker and trail
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.
Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
It has been suggested by key stakeholders that to notably develop marine research tourism across Australia, there is an opportunity for a number of collaborating yet competing marine research tourism broker roles across Australia. Such broker roles would act to support the interests of all key stakeholders by undertaking tasks such as the identify and development of marine research tourism, and facilitate permits, certification and training.
Marine research tourism should seek to develop a marine research tourism trail across Australia. This trail could consist of an organised network of different marine research tourism ventures and attractions across Australia.
Such a trail would be closely linked with Australian museums, zoos, aquaria, marine discovery centres, marine volunteer networks, marine research and management agencies, and the SCUBA industry.
Any development of such a trail would act to develop, link and co-promote a network of marine research tourism attractions across Australia.
Development of such a trail could be facilitated by a national organisation (comprised of representatives from Federal, State and Local organisations) that supports a number of marine research tourism broker organisations, which in turn support individual marine research tourism business.
 
 
 
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Topic 16. Time related statements
 
 
For each of the following statements, please tick the box the best indicates how well you agree (or disagree) with that statement.

Strongly agree Agree Maybe Not important Disagree Strongly disagree The statement is not clear to me
Within 1 year, there should be a register of organisations and individuals keen to lead marine research tourism projects.
Within 2 years, there should be an established program to develop and implement the best organisational model and/or code of practice for marine research tourism. This program should be mindful of the differences in the level of commitment among different key stakeholder organisations.
Within 2 years, there should be reduction of the reliance on traditional funding for marine research through incorporation of principal marine research projects solely into marine research tourism ventures.
Within 3 to 5 years, there should be a well founded program to facilitate and develop principal infrastructure for marine research tourism in Australia.
Within 3 to 5 years, there should be a well founded program to facilitate and develop the required human resources for marine research tourism.
Within 5 years, there should be five successful marine research tourism ventures that are widely known across Australia for their intrinsic attractiveness and their contributions to the understanding and protection of the seas and their ecosystems.
Within 5 years, the marine research tourism concept of Undersea Explorer (or similar marine research tourism operation) should be expanded to Western Australia.
Within 5 years, there should be a marine research tour guide certification programme offered at TAFE or other colleges.
Within 5 to 10 years, there should be implementation of a certification/accreditation scheme with auditing, to ensure practices and values are upheld.
Within 5 to 10 years, there should be Commonwealth, State & local Govt scheme's that co-invest with the private sector to develop new marine research tourism schemes and products.
Within 5 to 10 years, research knowledge from marine research tourism will lead to a better understanding or marine reserves, more marine reserves and other conservation measures.
Within 5 to 10 years, there should be widespread promotion/marketing of this niche form of tourism in Australia.
Within 5 to 10 years, there should be a media campaign through print magazine and lifestyle TV programs, based on the most successful existing ventures.
Within 5 to 10 years, such a media campaign would set and achieve performance benchmarks by showcasing adventurous celebrities and/or print and TV journalists as participants.
Within 10 years, marine research tourism should be well recognised as a profitable niche market in Australia.
Within 20 years, marine research tourism should account for 5% of marine focused tourism in Australia.
 
 
 
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Finally, do you have any comments or ideas that would assist the development of marine research tourism in Australia?   If so, could you write those comments or ideas in the below text box?
   
 
 
 
Thank you for taking this survey!



Your responses will assist with the development of a set of key stakeholder directed objectives for marine research tourism in Australia.
 

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