#TravelEthics

A new wave of research has cast a sobering light on the enduring threat posed by marine tourism to Mexico’s iconic ocean wildlife, despite the existence of regulations meant to protect it. The latest scientific findings reveal that popular activities such as whale watching and swimming with whale sharks, long seen as pillars of sustainable travel, are falling short of safeguarding vulnerable species in Mexico’s treasured marine sanctuaries. These results hold key lessons for coastal nations like Thailand, where marine tourism and conservation must coexist amid growing visitor numbers.

In the crystalline waters of Mexico’s Bahía de Banderas, where Pacific swells carry humpback whales on ancient migration routes to warmer birthing grounds, a troubling reality unfolds beneath the surface of what appears to be responsible eco-tourism. Despite comprehensive regulations designed to protect marine wildlife during tourist encounters, nearly nine out of every ten whale-watching excursions violate safety protocols that separate vulnerable animals from eager visitors seeking once-in-a-lifetime photographs and emotional connections with nature. This systematic breakdown of conservation rules—documented through four years of scientific observation—reveals critical lessons for Thailand’s marine tourism industry as coral reefs, sea turtle populations, and diverse marine ecosystems face similar pressures from growing numbers of international and domestic tourists.