Ocean tourism: When emotions meet science

Abstract

This chapter delves in the author’s contemplations of ocean tourism, i.e., tourism occurring in marine environments, as a potentially transformative activity capable of fostering a profound respect for the ocean and its inhabitants. Despite our feelings of fascination and interconnectedness with the ocean, many human activities, including tourism, continue to damage the marine ecosystem. However, effectively managed tourism has the potential to provide enriching experiences for human well-being and entertainment and serve as a powerful tool for educating and engaging tourists in the crucial realms of ocean protection and conservation. Drawing on the author's extensive research on whale watching in northern Norway over the past years, this chapter employs the concept of empathy to explore the challenges and potentials inherent in this specific case and the possible role of academics. It advocates for a relational approach to the natural environment, particularly in the context of the whales, and proposes actionable insights for improvement.