Assessing the socio-economic value of sea turtles to the Maldives' tourism industry in 2022 (post-pandemic)

The non-consumptive use of sea turtles has become a rapidly growing sector of the global tourism industry and is increasingly recognised as an important source of economic benefit for coastal communities. In the Maldives, however, the socio-economic value of sea turtles remains poorly quantified. Building on a preliminary survey conducted in 2019, this study provides a comprehensive assessment of the socio-economic value of sea turtles to the tourism industry, post-pandemic, while identifying sea turtle viewing hotspots with high tourism pressure that may require stricter regulation. Questionnaires collected information on operations related to sea turtle excursions in 2022, including the estimated direct spend on sea turtle excursions and the perceived value of sea turtles to tourists and operators. Results include responses from 117 tour operators across 20 atolls in the Maldives, with 68% from resort operators, 27% from local island operators, and 5% from liveaboards. Maldivian nationals made up 55% of respondents and 78.8% of the people working, directly or indirectly, on sea turtle excursions in 2022. The direct revenue generated by sea turtle tourism in the Maldives is estimated at US$10.9-14.4 million in 2022, with individual turtles at high-use sites generating up to US$29,709 per year. These findings underscore the significant economic and social importance of sea turtles to the tourism industry in the Maldives, matching that of manta rays and sharks, and highlights the need for improved conservation efforts to safeguard local sea turtle populations and their associated benefits for Maldivian communities.