Swimming in the Tropics: Navigating the Dangers of Marine Life

Abstract

Swimming is a popular holiday activity in tropical tourism destinations but is not risk free. Aside from the obvious risks of drowning, tropical waters harbour a number of marine animals that have the potential to injure or even kill unwary swimmers. Sharks, marine jellyfish and crocodiles may pose threats. From a destination perspective, strategies need to be implemented that firstly reduce the risk of injury and secondly care for swimmers who are injured. This paper first reports on the results of a survey of swimmers that examines a range of swimming-related behaviours then proposes an action pathway model that may be implemented by destinations to reduce risk for swimmers.

Citation

Glover, P. and Prideaux, B. (2015), "Swimming in the Tropics: Navigating the Dangers of Marine Life", Advances in Hospitality and Leisure (Advances in Hospitality and Leisure, Vol. 11), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 41-65. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1745-354220150000011004