Working with Tourism Operators

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Nature Experiences

Working with Tourism Operators

The Working with Tourism Operators project investigated how transformative tourism experiences at Lady Elliot Island influence visitor engagement with climate action. By quantifying the impact of various island activities and subjective perceptions, the study identifies critical pathways for motivating personal climate mitigation and decarbonisation efforts.

About this project

This study addressed a critical research gap by examining how marine-based tourism can motivate climate action in the face of escalating environmental threats. Conducted at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort on the Great Barrier Reef, the project surveyed 436 visitors to understand how their time on the reef influenced their climate-related intentions and behaviours. The research highlights a significant “procedural knowledge gap,” where visitors are motivated to help the Reef but often lack the specific knowledge needed to take effective climate action.

Our approach

The research team employed a post-visit survey method, contacting guests six weeks after their stay to measure lasting behavioural changes. The analysis evaluated twelve types of activities—ranging from SCUBA diving and guided tours to stewardship activities like weeding—and measured subjective experiences such as factual learning, reflection, and emotional responses. Researchers used mediation analysis to test how specific activities led to climate willingness through pathways of reflection, empowerment, and even negative emotions like sadness.

Goals/key achievements

Key outcomes identified were:
  • Cumulative Impact: Discovered that participating in a greater diversity of activities, rather than a single type, has the strongest association with climate behavioural intentions.
  • Key Mediators: Identified that reflecting on new ideas, feeling empowered, and experiencing sadness are essential internal processes that translate tourism into action.
  • Knowledge Gap Analysis: Revealed that only 4% of surveyed visitors could identify a specific, new climate-mitigation action they could adopt.
  • Action Prioritisation: Found that visitors were more willing to engage in “easy” social actions, such as telling others about reef impacts, than more difficult lifestyle changes like joining a conservation group.

Status

Completed (2025)
This project was completed in late 2025, with the findings published in the journal Marine Policy in early 2026. The research team, led by Yolanda Waters and Angela Dean, has provided a set of practical recommendations for tourism operators to integrate clear, consistent “calls to action” into their programs to help bridge the gap between reef awareness and global climate goals.

Understanding People and Nature

Research That Makes a Difference

We explore how people connect with the environment from urban green spaces to ocean reefs, and develop strategies to promote conservation stewardship and meaningful engagement with the natural world. Through citizen science, community partnerships, and innovative communication strategies, we’re working to strengthen the connections between people and nature for lasting conservation impact.