Resident perceptions of whale watching in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

This study highlights the social and environmental sustainability of whale watching, looking at the balance of perceived costs and benefits for the local community. In addition to offering a nuanced view of the opportunities and challenges associated to eco-tourism initiatives in the Dominican Republic, such as whale watching, the author offers the reader some practical recommendations to insure the sustainability of this industry in the long-term, and to mitigate some of the negative impacts that were highlighted during her interviews with members of the local community.