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How Tourism Can Be Good for Coral Reefs

Data highlights opportunities for the tourism industry to support better conservation outcomes

April 25, 2017

View The Study

Coral reefs could be considered the poster child of nature-based tourism. People come specifically to visit the reefs themselves, to swim over shimmering gardens of coral amongst hordes of fish. But even if you aren’t snorkeling or diving on a reef, your tropical beach vacation was likely made possible by a coral reef.

The world’s coral reefs perform many essential roles. They are home to the fish that provide the food - and often livelihoods - for nearly 100 million people. They also act as barriers against the worst impacts of storms, protecting the beaches and the millions of people who live around and rely upon them. By modelling the economic contributions of coral reefs to global and local economies, this work can be used to persuade governments of the importance of investing in their protection.

Quote : Source: Mapping Ocean Wealth

The global economic value of coral reefs for tourism is $36 billion/year

Source: Mapping Ocean Wealth

In a  study published in the Journal of Marine Policy , The Nature Conservancy’s Mapping Ocean Wealth (MOW) initiative and partners, used an innovative combination of data-driven academic research and crowd-sourced and social media-related data to reveal that 70 million trips are supported by the world’s coral reefs each year, making these reefs a powerful engine for tourism.

In total, coral reefs represent an astonishing $36 billion a year in economic value to the world. Of that $36 billion, $19 billion represents actual “on-reef” tourism like diving, snorkeling, glass-bottom boating and wildlife watching on reefs themselves. The other $16 billion comes from “reef-adjacent” tourism, which encompasses everything from enjoying beautiful views and beaches, to local seafood, paddleboarding and other activities that are afforded by the sheltering effect of adjacent reefs.

There are more than 70 countries across the world that generate more than 1 million dollars per square mile.

In fact, there are more than 70 countries and territories across the world that have million dollar reefs—reefs that generate more than one million dollars per square kilometer. These reefs support businesses and people in the Florida Keys, Bahamas, Mexico, Indonesia, Australia, and Mauritius, to name a few. Demonstrating this value creates a powerful incentive for local businesses and governments to preserve these essential ecosystems.

The Conservancy’s  Atlas of Ocean Wealth , and the accompanying  interactive mapping tool , serves as a valuable resource for managers and decision makers to drill down to determine not just the location of coral reefs or other important natural assets, but how much they’re worth, in terms of their economic value as well as fish production, carbon storage and coastal protection values. By revealing where benefits are produced and at what level, the MOW maps and tools can help businesses fully understand and make new investments in protecting the natural systems that underpin their businesses.

The Methodology

Along with traditional data-driven academic research, and research from the emerging fields of crowd-sourced and social media-related data, a combination of tourism datasets that included hotel rooms, general photographs, underwater photographs, dive centers and dive site were used to render and improve crude national statistics, and also to cross-validate with independent datasets – for example, using hotel locations alongside number of photos taken in a location to independently show tourism spread at national levels, and using dive-sites and locations of underwater photographs to distinguish between tourism activities that take place directly on the reef (e.g., snorkeling, diving) versus tourism activities that indirectly benefit from the presence of coral reefs (e.g., enjoying pristine beaches, calm waters, and fresh seafood).

The data is available in the  mapping application , which allows users to view and compare economic and visitation values of coral reef tourism around the world. Users can also focus on specific geographies, such as Florida, the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean, and Micronesia, to view a more fine-scale distribution of values in these regions.

Armed with concrete information about the value of these important natural assets, the tourism industry can start to make more informed decisions about the management and conservation of the reefs they depend on—and thus become powerful allies in the conservation movement.

The concept of valuing nature isn’t a new one, but the detailed, targeted knowledge of the MOW initiative presents an opportunity for the travel and tourism industry to lead both in the private sector, institutionalizing the value of nature into business practices and corporate sustainability investments, and in the sustainability movement more broadly by capturing the business opportunities that exist when we realize that we need nature.

Quote : Dr. Robert Brumbaugh

It’s clear that the tourism industry depends on coral reefs. But now, more than ever, coral reefs are depending on the tourism industry."

Dr. Robert Brumbaugh

For those interested in learning more, or if you have questions or feedback, contact us at  [email protected] .

Atlas of Ocean Wealth

This Atlas represents the largest collection to date of the economic, social and cultural values of coastal and marine habitats globally. View Atlas

Mapping Ocean Wealth

Understanding in quantitative terms all that the ocean does for us today, so that we make smarter investments and decisions for the ocean of tomorrow. Visit Site

Recreation and Tourism Data Portal

Dig in to visualize and simplify global, regional and local ecosystem benefits for use in natural resource planning and policy decisions. Explore the Data

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Tourism is damaging the ocean. Here’s what we can do to protect it

8 million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean every year. Image:  REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo

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What does the big blue mean to you? Is it a holiday destination, a source of income, as for the 60 million people working in the marine fishing industry, a vital protein source of 151 million tonnes for human consumption, or a home to millions of species? The ocean has a different meaning for everyone, but for all of us, it is a source of life.

Vitamin sea

It is often forgotten that two thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. The ocean is big, resilient and heals the soul, but what happens when it is facing a crisis and cannot revitalize its own wounds? Scientists are predicting that 90% of the world's coral reefs will die by 2050 and that the ocean’s biodiversity is degrading at an alarming pace, due to human activities.

With a growing global middle class and increasing ease of travel, people have achieved greater mobility in recent years. According to United Nations World Tourism Organization, the number of international tourist trips worldwide reached 1.3 billion in 2017, and is predicted to reach 1.8 billion by 2030 .

The World Travel Tourism Council forecasts that the future of travel and tourism will support 400 million jobs and contribute to 25% of global net job creation globally. The infrastructure required to sustain this growth in economic activity has increased pressure on natural resources, biodiversity, as well as on local communities.

Tourism can cause harm, but it can also stimulate sustainable development. When properly planned and managed, sustainable tourism can contribute to improved livelihoods , inclusion, cultural heritage and natural resource protection, and promote international understanding.

Here are three examples of how tourism is harming our oceans, and the efforts to mitigate that harm:

1. The cost of tourism

Various tourist hotspots struggle to manage the ever-expanding influx of travellers. Urban dwellers in cities like Amsterdam, Venice and Barcelona are raising their concerns and anti-tourist sentiment is growing . Tourism-driven gentrification can put pressure on the wellbeing and livelihood of the local community, pushing up real estate prices, making the destination overcrowded, and enhancing shore erosion by tourist activities in coastal areas.

In 2017, Palau and New Zealand started a bold campaign requesting visitors to be environmental agents by signing an eco-pledge when visiting their countries. This small step is crucial to shift visitors’ behaviour towards respecting the culture, protecting the country’s natural and living resources, and preserving the country for future generations.

Awareness of sustainability is more important than ever, as user-generated content and peer-to-peer digital platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Airbnb and TripAdvisor are becoming key influencers of the experience economy, tourism trends, and the attitudes of globetrotters.

2. Toxic sunscreen in our seas

As the number of beachgoers has been growing, so has the use of sun protection products. Many people are unaware but 14,000 tonnes of toxic sunscreen make their way to the underwater world each year. In fact, as many as 82,000 kinds of chemicals from personal care products end up in the oceans. The use of chemical sunscreen, water pollution, coral diseases, rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification, lead to deformations in juvenile corals, bleaching of reefs and prevent corals from growing, reproducing and surviving.

In 2018, Hawaii , Mexico and Aruba announced a ban on non-biodegradable sunscreen lotions. Seychelles took a step further and committed to a blue bond to support the financing of ocean and marine-based projects for positive economic, environmental and climate benefits. It is key to have a holistic and innovative approach to the blue economy as the industry is expected to grow at twice the rate of the mainstream economy by 2030 .

3. Circular tides

Global awareness of the footprint of (micro)plastic from tourism gained momentum in 2018. Researchers estimate that an additional 8 million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean every year . About 40% of all plastic is in single-use packaging , as tourists litter beaches with straws, coffee cups, water bottles and cigarette butts .

In October 2018, Thailand announced the closing of Maya Beach indefinitely to clean up the unstoppable amount of plastic and drainage that tarnished its coastline. The threat to our oceans requires cross-country and regional collaboration , but most importantly multi-stakeholder global engagements.

Strategic partnerships empowering the public and private sector to reduce plastic waste, develop a circular economy and build sustainable and more resilient communities are critical. The alliance between the world’s largest packaging producers, like the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment are key to forging innovative collective action, and solutions to reducing pollution to save our oceans.

There are both positives and negatives stemming from the increase of human mobility and tourism, therefore it is crucial to find a balance to encourage tourism for economic growth and stimulating sustainable incentives for the conservation of our oceans.

The ocean might seem endless, but we are all on the same boat and need to find mutual solutions to ride the waves together. This is crucial not only for our oceans and marine life, but for human survival.

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RELEASE: Ocean Panel Countries Call for a Shift Towards Sustainable Tourism to Safeguard the Ocean and Future of the Tourism Industry

Panama City, Panama (March 3, 2023) — Today, world leaders voiced their support for a shift towards sustainable coastal and marine tourism to protect the ocean and the livelihoods of those who directly rely on it.  

In a joint statement issued by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel), member countries* highlight the critical relationship between a thriving tourism industry and the health of the ocean and its ecosystems that attract visitors.  

A recent Ocean Panel-commissioned report found that coastal and marine tourism represents at least 50 percent of all global tourism. For most small island developing states and many coastal states, it is the largest economic sector. However, this industry is extremely vulnerable to climate change and biodiversity loss. Without action to address these destructive threats, the long-term future of this critical sector hangs in the balance.  

Economic gains from tourism are not distributed equally, with large foreign companies and tour operators typically receiving disproportional benefits compared to local communities. This inequality is exacerbated by the sector’s economic vulnerability, with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacting local communities who depend on tourism for their livelihoods.  

Today, members of the Ocean Panel call on governments and tourism operators and other stakeholders in the sector to take action that promotes a renewed focus on new high-quality economic opportunities for local communities, restoring the natural environment and revitalizing cultural heritage. Through this approach, tourism has the potential to be a key pillar in the transformation to a sustainable ocean economy.  

In the statement, Ocean Panel countries reaffirmed their commitment to the goal that by 2030 ‘coastal and ocean-based tourism is sustainable, resilient, addresses climate change, reduces pollution, supports ecosystem regeneration and biodiversity conservation, and invests in local jobs and communities’.  

Achieving this goal requires governments and tourism operators to act across the following areas:   

• Tackling inequality through investment in regenerative tourism 
• Strategies that advance environmental, social and economic priorities  
• Supporting local and Indigenous communities  
• Implementing nature-based solutions in tourism infrastructure
• Investing in sewage and wastewater infrastructure  

Today at the Our Ocean Conference in Panama City, members of the Ocean Panel joined industry leaders to share examples of how countries are creating a more sustainable, regenerative and resilient coastal and marine tourism sector.

The Ocean Panel is the only ocean policy body made up of serving heads of state with the authority needed to trigger, amplify and accelerate action worldwide for ocean priorities. Member countries are: Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, France*, Ghana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, Palau, Portugal, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Since launching in 2018, Ocean Panel member countries have joined together to realize the mission of sustainably managing 100% of the ocean area under national jurisdictions. Management of marine areas beyond national waters is currently being negotiated at the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) conference at the UN headquarters in New York. Today’s statement comes on the final day of talks to create a legally binding treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity within the high seas.

“Tourism is a critical economic industry for Palau and many other small island developing states and coastal states. In Palau, we understand our environment supports the marine life, terrain, flora and fauna that attract tourists. Additionally, as a people, we have known for a millennium that our very existence relies on healthy lands and ocean. As such, we have taken steps to promote preservation that also supports a robust and sustainable economy. However, we can’t do it alone. The future of our people and our economy continues to be severely threatened by the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. While we are grateful that other nations are taking action, we must build momentum globally and encourage more countries to switch to sustainable models that serve to protect and regenerate the natural environment as well as the communities and cultures on which the tourism industry depends.” Surangel S. Whipps Jr , President of Palau and Co-Chair of the Ocean Panel

“Marine and coastal tourism is one of the largest sectors in the ocean economy. It represents more than half of all global tourism and provides a vital source of employment for millions worldwide. However, the activities in the sector can also lead to negative impact on animal health and natural resources, and emissions that contribute to climate change. The tourism sector must be made truly sustainable – for people and for the planet. That is the only way we can safeguard the future of the industry." Jonas Gahr Støre , Prime Minister of Norway and Co-Chair of the Ocean Panel  

“Coastal tourism depends on thriving nature so it’s decline is a risk to the business bottom line. Yet so often a tourism group doesn’t know the scope of solutions or have capacity to tackle coastal protection and restoration in a meaningful way. At Iberostar we aim to demonstrate coastal protection can be integrated into the business at scale when it is scientifically informed and internally adopted and implemented alongside public-private support.” Megan Morikawa , Global Director of Sustainability at Iberostar Group

Notes to editors

*Ocean Panel member country France expressed support for this declaration but were not able to endorse this statement prior to the 8th Our Ocean Conference.

About the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy The members of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) lead nations of highly diverse oceanic, economic and political perspectives. Driven by a commitment to partnership, shared knowledge and science-informed policy, the Ocean Panel aims to advance the values underpinning a sustainable ocean economy—effective protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity.     In December 2020, the Ocean Panel launched the ‘Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: A Vision for Protection, Production and Prosperity’ which included an ambitious goal for coastal and marine tourism, that by 2030 ‘Coastal and ocean-based tourism is sustainable, resilient, addresses climate change, reduces pollution, supports ecosystem regeneration and biodiversity conservation and invests in local jobs and communities’. https://oceanpanel.org/opportunity/sustainable-coastal-marine-tourism/    

For more information visit www.oceanpanel.org and @OceanPanel on social media.

Media Contact:

Senior Communications Manager, Ocean Program

Relevant Work

Statement by the high level panel for a sustainable ocean economy at cop26, release: ocean-based climate action could deliver up to 35% of emission cuts needed to limit temperature rise to 1.5°c by 2050, release: ocean panel calls for nations to adopt 100% sustainable ocean management target, release: 14 world leaders commit to 100% sustainable ocean management to solve global challenges; call for more countries to join, how you can help.

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Travel and Tourism

Ocean tourism is at once highly valuable, and priceless..

Seas the Day!

On both coasts and on thousands of beaches, the ocean attracts surfers from around the world.

Did you know that the last time you spent a night in a beachfront bed and breakfast or enjoyed a seafood meal overlooking the ocean, you were supporting an industry that employs over two million people in this country? Chances are you didn’t realize that your much-needed vacation was as important to the national economy as it was to your own well-being.

One look at any of our country’s coastlines, and tourism’s allure is understandable. The ocean is our provider, from food and transportation to the endless opportunities for enjoyment that many Americans work so hard to achieve. Anyone who has been on a honeymoon in Hawaii, a fishing expedition in the Gulf of Mexico, or seen the sun set over Big Sur will tell you that they wouldn’t give those moments up for all the money in the world. And while those experiences are priceless, they also happen to contribute to the $143 billion that ocean tourism, in turn, contributes to the economy each year.

Ocean Tourism and Recreation: Top Five Contributors. Transcript

As bountiful as the ocean is, so are the ways people enjoy it. Nature-based tourism is at an all-time high. Hundreds of millions of people travel to see coral reefs every year, and some of the most spectacular are in those that are protected in national marine sanctuaries .

Equally popular are the fish and mammals that call our ocean and coasts home. People will travel far and wide to get eye-to-eye with a sea turtle, dolphin, or whale. For many Americans, a trip to Alaska’s Kachemak Bay Reserve , spotting curious harbor seals from the beach and watching Orcas chase prey is a dream come true. For others, a week of rest and relaxation at a secluded Puerto Rico resort is as good as it gets.

National Travel and Tourism Week is a good way to celebrate a great industry—and maybe a reminder to book that next beach vacation.

Infographic Transcript

Ocean Tourism and Recreation: Top Five Contributors.

• California: 441,000 workers; $26 billion contributed to Gross Domestic Product
• Florida: 427,000 workers; $22 billion contributed to Gross Domestic Product
• New York: 359,000 workers; $29 billion contributed to Gross Domestic Product
• Hawaii: 110,000 workers; $9 billion contributed to Gross Domestic Product
• New Jersey: 96,000 workers; $4 billion contributed to Gross Domestic Product

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National Travel and Tourism Week

May 6-12, 2018, is the 35th celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week , and there is indeed a lot to celebrate. Travel is America’s second largest industry export, and the country’s travel industry directly and indirectly generates a whopping $2.3 trillion annually.

Last updated: 04/30/21 Author: NOAA How to cite this article

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Coastal and marine tourism represents at least 50 percent of total global tourism . It constitutes the largest economic sector for most small island developing states and many coastal states. Securing the long-term sustainability and viability of this sector is critical for the continued prosperity of the destinations and communities that rely on it.

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Fast Facts / Tourism and Recreation

Tourism and recreation support a wide range of businesses in the nation’s shore-adjacent zip codes, from restaurants, hotels, aquariums, and marinas to boat manufacturers and sporting goods stores. The following facts are based on the latest available economic data 1 (2018).

2.5 Million People

Almost 2.5 million people are employed by ocean-based tourism and recreation.

$66 Billion Earnings

Workers in the ocean-based tourism and recreation sector earned about $65.6 billion in annual wages.

$143 Billion GDP

Ocean-based tourism and recreation contributes approximately $143 billion in gross domestic product to the national economy each year.

An Industry Leader

The ocean-based tourism and recreation sector employs more Americans than the entire real estate industry, as well as more people than building construction and telecommunications combined.

Steady Growth

The industry added 54,000 jobs (2.3 percent growth) from 2017 to 2018—adding jobs at a slightly higher rate than the overall U.S. economy (1.6 percent growth).

In terms of employment, California, Florida, New York, Hawaii, and New Jersey are the five largest contributors to marine-based tourism and recreation, accounting for more than half of this sector’s total employment in 2018. In terms of gross domestic product, New York, California, Florida, Hawaii, and Washington State were the five largest contributors, accounting for more than half the national gross domestic product of this sector in 2018.

Leisure and Hospitality in Coastal Counties

In the larger economic sector of leisure and hospitality*, which includes all hotels and restaurants located in shoreline-adjacent counties, the economic contributions are also substantial. Statistics 2 include the following:

• Employs almost 6.9 million people
• Generates over $196 billion in earnings
• Contributes $427 billion to the gross domestic product

*Note: Economics: National Ocean Watch (ENOW) is a NOAA economics database on the Digital Coast that features time-series data focused on the six economic sectors that are dependent on the oceans and Great Lakes. ENOW's tourism and recreation statistics are good indicators of coastal and ocean tourism because they estimate the ocean-dependent portion of business for hotels and restaurants by including only those establishments located in shore-adjacent zip code areas, and they exclude all forms of sports and entertainment that are not ocean-related.

Statistics for the leisure and hospitality sector, on the other hand, include all hotels and restaurants located anywhere in a shore-adjacent county, many of which are far from the coast and have very little business connected to ocean tourism. These statistics also include activities associated with all forms of sports and entertainment, including sports arenas (e.g., professional baseball and football stadiums), Broadway plays, casinos, and racetracks.

Source: NOAA Office for Coastal Management

1: Economics: National Ocean Watch

2: Total Economy for US Coastal Shoreline Counties

Additional Fast Facts

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Off the Unbeaten Track Edward Adrian-Vallance's travel site

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• Overland Travel

View when driving from Yelisovo airport to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

The first myth I want to disprove is that getting to Kamchatka is extremely costly. It’s not. Going between February and April, a return flight from Moscow can be had for 11,000 roubles (US$380 / £220). Not bad for 18 hours total flying time. In summer the flights are more expensive but still, if you book them a few months in advance, can be got for 16,000 roubles return.

It’s true, many people will tell you that March and April are the worst months to visit because the snow is starting to melt and everything’s a bit sloshy and dirty in settlements. On the other hand, these are great months for the independent traveller! During winter zimniki (temporary winter roads made of compacted snow or simply frozen river surfaces) open up all over Kamchatka, granting access to communities that in summer are totally isolated. Hitch hiking is possible right from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to the very north of the peninsula. Alternatively, vehicles can be hired in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky from tour firms. Also in the winter or early spring months places can be reached that are away even from the zimniki, either by snowmobile or by the use of cross country skis. For example, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Eurasia’s largest active volcano, can be accessed from the village of Klyuchi without the need even for a guide by a traveller with a pair of cross country skis. Bears do not wake up until mid-April so this is not a danger, but bears almost never attack anyone anyway.

The main disadvantages of winter travel in Kamchatka are that it is cold, there is no greenery and there are no bears, which some people come here especially to see.

The second myth I’d like to dispel is that travel around the peninsula requires hiring a helicopter. As mentioned above, in winter you can get almost anywhere by hitch hiking. I even hitched a lift with bear hunters on snowmobiles from their village to a reindeer herder encampment 100km away. In summer snowmobiles are replaced by horses, and transport is reduced from long distance ice-road journeys to irregular inter-settlement all-terrain vehicle trips. Hitch hiking is possible on these all-terrain vehicles though.

Throughout the year there are fairly expensive public helicopter flights to all settlements which are nevertheless much cheaper than hiring your own helicopter. There is also one permanent, year-round dirt road leading halfway up the peninsula. Some distance after the town of Milkovo, about 350km north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky , it forks. The right fork leads to Klyuchi , site of Eurasia’s largest active volcano, and further to the port town of Ust-Kamchatsk. The left fork leads to the indigenous Even villages of Anavgay and Esso. Daily buses go from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Klyuchi , Anavgay and Esso, costing about 1000 roubles each way. In winter a zimnik passable by lorries heads north from Anavgay 36 hours to the otherwise isolated town of Palana. From Palana more zimniki head further north to yet more isolated settlements. From the peninsula’s very northernmost settlements there are even EXTREMELY irregular snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle connections with Magadan Oblast and Chukotka. Another zimnik, only passable by all-terrain vehicle, heads from Anavgay to the village of Ust-Khayryuzovo on Kamchatka’s west coast.

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Ocean City hailed as top US beach town by multiple top-tier travel publications.

T he sizzling summer season is right around the corner, and what better way to drum up excitement than with the honor of being recognized as one of the best beaches in the entire USA?

That's right —  the popular resort town destination of Ocean City, Maryland, has recently been awarded that honorable recognition and more from an array of top-tier travel publications.

TRIP ADVISOR HONORS OCEAN CITY: Is Ocean City one of the top 10 beaches in the U.S.? Tripadvisor travelers say: Yes!

Ocean City honored as among US's best beaches

The recognitions include Ocean City being named one of the  best beach towns on the East Coast  by  Condé Nast Traveler  and a  top U.S. beach town  by  Thrillist . Ocean City’s 10-mile-stretch of pristine beaches also made Travel + Leisure’s list of  25 Best Beaches in the USA . 

In 2023, the Ocean City Department of Tourism & Business Development unveiled a refreshed brand platform with a brand-new bright yellow, smiley-faced logo and playful, catchy slogan: “Somewhere to Smile About.”

This year, the rebranding campaign continues to increase awareness and visitation to Ocean City through media relations, social media, paid media, influencer programs and more, the town said in an April 26 news release.

HISTORIC OCEAN CITY HOTEL: Historic Ocean City Commander Hotel to renovate pools, guest rooms in time for summer

MEET THE OCEAN CITY BEACH PATROL: ‘The greatest adventure’: On watch with lifeguards in Ocean City

“We are thrilled to see our town highlighted by some of the most prominent publications and travel advisors in the industry,” said Tom Perlozzo, Director of Tourism and Business Development for Ocean City, Maryland Tourism.

“These accolades are a true testament to the hard work our team is doing to promote Ocean City as the ultimate vacation destination. We believe our town has so much to offer travelers, and we can’t wait to kick off another successful summer season," he added.

Vote for Ocean City in USA Today's 10best poll

Ocean City has also been nominated by  USA Today’s 10best  expert panel among 20 must-see places for a summer vacation. The public can vote once daily until voting ceases on Monday, May 13, at noon. The ten winners will be crowned on Wednesday, May 22.

OCEAN CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT: Get to know Buckshot, the newest Ocean City Police Department Mounted Unit member

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at  [email protected] .

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Ocean City hailed as top US beach town by multiple top-tier travel publications.

Opportunities for Transforming Coastal and Marine Tourism: Towards Sustainability, Regeneration and Resilience

• Published: 2022

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A Special Report which considers the socio-economic argument for shifting to a more sustainable tourism model as part of recovery efforts from the global pandemic. The report provides a holistic assessment of the current state of coastal and marine tourism and draws on 32 case studies and examples from 23 countries to identify a set of priorities designed to help catalyse systemic change in destination-wide management through strategic investment and intervention by governments to support sustainable recovery from the global pandemic; and a series of over 40 Expert Perspectives from leading global tourism experts across industry, finance, IGOs, NGOs, academic and government which provide insights and inspiration for the future of coastal and marine tourism.

“ E. Northrop ;   2022;   Opportunities for Transforming Coastal and Marine Tourism: Towards Sustainability, Regeneration and Resilience;   BTRP-ID:  29866″

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A travel planner shares the 10 biggest mistakes people make while booking all-inclusive vacations

• As a travel planner, I regularly stay at all-inclusive resorts and book luxury trips for my clients.
• The vacations can be daunting and complicated to book, and many people make mistakes along the way.
• Booking the cheapest room , requesting an ocean view, and always bringing kids isn't the way to go.

As a travel planner at Marvelous Mouse Travels , one of my areas of expertise is booking all-inclusive vacations.

The luxury trips can be complex to book, so it's easy to get tripped up if you're new to them. And if you're spending upwards of $3,000 for a weeklong getaway for two, you want to ensure you're getting your money's worth.

Here are the biggest mistakes people make while booking all-inclusive vacations .

Jumping into internet searches before thinking about what you want

When choosing an all-inclusive resort , it's important to consider your dream vacation before you even start looking online. Determining a trip bucket list will greatly help to narrow down your search.

I encourage clients to think about things like their budget, nonnegotiable amenities, ideal locations, flight accessibility, desired room features, and resort size.

Booking the cheapest room at the cheapest resort

In all-inclusive travel, you truly get what you pay for.

I recommend focusing searches on properties with at least a 4.5 rating. Value properties often struggle to provide quality food options, comfortable accommodations, and adequate service.

Although entry-level rooms are the least expensive, booking them can also come at a price.

The cheapest rooms can have views of the parking lot or construction sites. Or they're located on the ground floor, which can get musty if you're in a humid, tropical location.

You can often upgrade to a better room for a minimal extra cost, and I think it's more than worth it. If you're really on a strict budget, shorten your trip by a day or two to allow for a higher-quality experience.

Taking your kids along every time

There are many great kid-friendly, all-inclusive resorts, but taking an adults-only trip is so much fun.

Grab your friends, family, or significant others to rewind for a few days without the kids.

On a recent trip to Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancún, my husband and I appreciated the time we spent reconnecting, unwinding, and unplugging from work and family responsibilities.

Forgetting to research the food

One of the best parts of an all-inclusive vacation is enjoying the all-you-can-eat cuisine and top-shelf drink selections.

Spending up to a week at a luxury resort with mediocre food can be an unenjoyable experience. When reading reviews, p ay close attention to comments about the food quality.

I love the food and drinks at Palace, Sandals, and Beaches resorts and often recommend them to my clients.

Completely ruling out hurricane season

Booking a trip to the Caribbean or Mexico in summer and fall ( hurricane season ) carries some risk, but prices are usually significantly lower than at other times of the year.

The weather can be gorgeous, and there's no guarantee your trip will be impacted by bad weather. If you're concerned, definitely keep an eye on the weather and add on travel insurance while you're booking.

My husband and I honeymooned in the Caribbean in the fall , and the weather was some of the best I have ever had on a vacation.

Booking an ocean-view room

One of the biggest disappointments I hear from clients is that their view didn't meet their expectations.

Some resorts are more liberal with their categorization of partial-ocean-view and ocean-view rooms — maybe you can see a sliver of blue through the trees if you crane your neck.

If you want to see the beautiful blue of the sea from your balcony, you need to book an oceanfront room.

Limiting your search to tropical destinations

Many popular all-inclusive resorts are in tropical locations , but there are also some great options in places like Canada, Europe, and Japan.

Club Med offers all-inclusive resorts worldwide. One of its newest offerings is Club Med Charlevoix, which offers an all-inclusive ski experience in the winter and an adventure experience in the summer.

Trusting your friend's recommendations implicitly

Your friend might have impeccable taste, but that doesn't mean their favorite resort meets your style or needs.

One of my clients might love a resort, but another may not enjoy the experience at all. Finding the resort that's right for you is a very personal process.

Not booking with a travel planner

Sure, I'm a little biased, but hear me out: Choosing the right destinations and resorts for your all-inclusive vacation can be daunting. In Mexico alone, there are hundreds of lodgings to choose from.

Most travel planners offer complimentary services (we get commissions from hotels and other bookings), which can greatly reduce the headache of planning your trip.

I always look for the best pricing and make sure to support my clients before, during, and after their vacations so they can relax.

As part of being an agent, I also visit resorts to vet them for my clients. Reading reviews online can be helpful, but they can also be confusing, so I like to be able to make personal recommendations.

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2 teens turn themselves in after viral video shows them dumping trash in ocean

2 teens turn themselves in after viral video shows them dumping trash in ocean A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old turned them in to authorities after they were reportedly caught on video last Sunday throwing trash into the ocean, officials said. (James Thew - stock.adobe.com)

MIAMI — A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old turned them in to authorities after they were reportedly caught on video last Sunday throwing trash into the ocean, officials said.

>> Read more trending news

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said that two people were seen on video emptying garbage cans full of trash into the Atlantic Ocean before going back to Boca Bash, WTVJ reported. Boca Bash is an unsanctioned boating party off the coast of Boca Raton, about an hour north of Miami. The video has since gone viral, according to CBS News.

Both teens are facing a third-degree felony charge, according to WPTV . That charge is for causing pollution so as to harm or injure human health or welfare, animal, plant, or aquatic life or property. The charge comes with up to a $50,000 fine or up to five years in prison, according to WTVJ.

“The illegal dumping of trash in our marine environment is a serious crime, and we worked closely with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office to determine appropriate charges,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto, according to the news outlet . “Callous disregard for Florida’s environment will not be tolerated. This is a teaching moment for all those involved -- Florida’s natural resources are precious, and we should all do our part to protect them.”

FWC officials said they are working with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office on the charges, according to WPEC.

The Florida State Attorney’s Office has about 30 days to decide if it will try the two teens as adults, WPTV reported.

“Florida Litter Law” says that anyone who dumps over 15 pounds of trash into a body of water is guilty of first-degree misdemeanor, WPEC reported.

The two teens’ names have not been identified since they are juveniles.

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Jessica Simpson's $40K Mexico luxury vacation rental offers private chefs, butlers and a snow room

Simpson stayed at the luxury villa from sun cabo vacations with her family over spring break.

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Jessica Simpson's recent Mexican vacation rental could be yours for $40,000.

The spacious 20,000 square-foot luxury villa, known as La Datcha, boasts 10 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and a world-class gym. The home can accommodate up to 20 guests, with each bedroom designed with a colorful Mexican-American fusion theme, according to Sun Cabos Vacations' website.

Each bedroom comes with its own en suite bathroom and walk-in closets, with the two primary bedrooms featuring private outdoor terraces, one which boasts a private fireplace, and the other of which leads to a pool.

La Datcha also boasts 24-hour services for all guests, with a staff consisting of 22 people who are ready to help with anything the guests could need, including three world-class chefs and five butlers.

Jessica Simpson and her family stayed in a luxury villa while vacationing in Mexico. (Sun Cabo Vacations/Getty Images / Fox News)

La Datcha has 10 bedrooms, each with its own en suite bathroom and an ocean view. (Sun Cabo Vacations / Fox News)

The bedrooms at La Datcha are designed with a Mexican-American fusion. (Sun Cabo Vacations / Fox News)

JESSICA SIMPSON HAS ‘SO MUCH CLARITY’ WITH SOBRIETY, FEELS LIKE ‘I’M IN MY 20S AGAIN’

Simpson and her family stayed at the villa during her kids' recent spring break, posting about her positive experience on Instagram.

The primary bedrooms in the villa lead to private terraces. (Sun Cabo Vacations / Fox News)

"2024 Spring Breakin’ with the fam was EPIC!" she captioned her post. "Thank you @tinasimpsonofficial for giving these kiddos memorable moments in Cabo that they will hold close to their precious hearts and cherish for a lifetime!"

The home features a brand-new gym. (Sun Cabo Vacations / Fox News)

She went on to thank the rental company in a separate post, featuring her standing in front of the infinity pool, writing "Thank you @suncabovacations for always bringin’ the CHA CHA CHA to the perfectly exquisite vacation spots  #LaDatcha."

The villa features an infinity pool, with a large table in the center for guests to eat around with a view of the ocean. (Sun Cabo Vacations / Fox News)

La Datcha features a staff of three chefs and five butlers, allowing guests plenty of opportunities to relax. (Sun Cabo Vacations / Fox News)

The vacation rental also features a sauna, Turkish bath and a massage room. The home even comes with a SNOW room, which is kept at -40 degrees, for those looking to take a cold plunge . 

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The villa features a sauna, a massage room and a cold room. (Sun Cabo Vacations / Fox News)

La Datcha has a wide variety of wines, with over 3,000 bottles available. (Sun Cabo Vacations / Fox News)

Included with the stay is all the food and beverages guests consume while in the villa, including a collection of local beers and a "massive private collection of over 3,000 bottles of wine." Also included in the rental price is a private shuttle to and from the airport.

The house is just a few steps away from the beach, but swimming in the sea in Pedregal is not advised as the currents are very strong. Instead, guests can enjoy the spacious infinity pool, located on the upper terrace. 

While guests are advised against swimming in the ocean, they can enjoy the spacious infinity pool and hot tub. (Sun Cabo Vacations / Fox News)

The outside of the home features many lounge areas where guests can relax. (Sun Cabo Vacations / Fox News)

The outside of the home is just as extravagant as the inside of the home, as it features many outdoor terraces with several lounge chairs and cabanas set up for ultimate relaxation.

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Sri Lanka participates at OTDYKH/Leisure International Tourism Exhibition 2019 in Moscow

Under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), as in the previous years, in collaboration with Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow, Sri Lankan travel agents and tour companies participated in OTDYKH/ Leisure International Tourism Exhibition-2019, which commenced on 10 September 2019, at Expo Centre, Moscow.

Leisure Exhibition is one of the largest International tourism fairs being organized in Moscow.  This is the 16 th edition of Leisure Exhibition held since 2001, and attracted more than 20 countries this year.

Sri Lankan stall was declared open by Counsellor of the Sri Lankan Embassy, Mohamed Anas on behalf of the Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, following the lighting of traditional oil lamp by the Embassy staff, Organizers and Sri Lankan participants. This year Sri Lanka pavilion was able to gather 12 prominent travel traders from Sri Lanka including destination management companies and hoteliers. The participants were supported by this Mission in their interaction with the interested parties, enabling them to share their offers and services for demanding customers in Russia.

The visitors were welcomed at the Sri Lankan stall by Assistant Director – Marketing, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Sasika Jayaweera and Second Secretary (Commerce) of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow, Chathurika Perera.