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| Association of Marine Tours | |
|---|---|
| Name | Association of Marine Tours |
| Type | Non-profit trade association |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Area served | Global |
| Focus | Marine tourism, ecotourism, maritime safety |
Association of Marine Tours The Association of Marine Tours is an international trade association representing companies and professionals in marine tourism, ecotourism, whale watching, and coastal excursions. Founded in the late 20th century, the Association brings together operators, conservationists, researchers, and regulators to develop industry guidelines, promote sustainable practices, and advocate for safety and quality across recreational boating, dive tourism, and wildlife viewing sectors.
The Association emerged during a period of rapid expansion in global travel alongside organizations such as World Tourism Organization, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Greenpeace International, The Nature Conservancy, and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Early founding members included operators who had ties to Galápagos Islands tour operators, Great Barrier Reef dive companies, and whale-watching outfits near Monterey Bay, Kaikōura, and Reykjavík. The Association coordinated with governmental entities like the United Nations Environment Programme and regional bodies such as the European Commission's maritime programs and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to harmonize visitor guidelines. Significant milestones involved partnerships with academic institutions including Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, University of Cape Town, and James Cook University to publish best-practice manuals and impact studies. The Association’s advocacy influenced policy dialogues at forums such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Maritime Organization.
Governance follows a board structure similar to industry associations like Cruise Lines International Association and International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. The Board of Directors comprises representatives from regional chapters in areas such as the Caribbean, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, South Pacific, and Southern Ocean cruise corridors. Committees include stakeholder groups aligned with institutions like Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Marine Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution, and regional agencies such as the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Legal and policy advisors have backgrounds connected to courts and processes like International Court of Justice deliberations on maritime boundaries and regional arrangements including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for maritime safety coordination. Annual general meetings are often hosted alongside conferences organized with partners such as International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress and trade shows like BOOT Düsseldorf.
Membership encompasses small charter operators, large eco-cruise lines, research vessels, and independent guides. Accredited members undergo assessment modeled after accreditation systems used by Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Green Key, and ISO standards committees. Regional accreditation panels include experts from universities like University of British Columbia and University of Auckland, NGOs such as Oceana and Marine Conservation Society, and representatives from national agencies like Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Membership categories mirror trade organizations such as Adventure Travel Trade Association and include corporate, affiliate, and individual guide levels. The Association maintains a public directory similar to listings by Lonely Planet and endorsement mechanisms akin to awards like the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards.
The Association publishes operational guidance drawing on precedent from International Maritime Organization conventions, SOLAS-style safety frameworks, and environmental protocols influenced by the Ramsar Convention and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Best practices address vessel operations near marine mammals studied by teams from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, guidelines for coral reef interactions informed by research at Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and codes of conduct for seabird colonies similar to measures used at Gough Island and Falkland Islands. Recommended protocols reference methods used in conservation programs like those of WWF International and BirdLife International.
Conservation programs run by the Association partner with research institutions including Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences. Initiatives target mitigation of impacts such as anchor damage to habitats documented in studies from The Marine Biological Association and pollution reduction modeled after Clean Seas campaigns. Collaborative projects have included citizen-science monitoring with platforms like iNaturalist and eBird, and tagging studies coordinated with laboratories at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and Dalhousie University. The Association engages in policy dialogues with regional fisheries and protected-area managers such as NOAA Fisheries, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument administrators to align tourism with conservation objectives.
Training programs reference curricula from institutions such as Lloyd's Register, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, St. John Ambulance, and maritime academies like United States Merchant Marine Academy and Australian Maritime College. Certifications include vessel crew training, first aid, and wildlife-approach procedures informed by research from University of Hawaii at Manoa and University of Tasmania. Emergency response coordination protocols are exercised with organizations such as International Maritime Rescue Federation and coast guard services including the United States Coast Guard and Her Majesty's Coastguard. The Association’s courses often align with international standards promulgated by ISO technical committees and incorporate simulations used by naval institutions like Naval Postgraduate School.
Annual conferences convene members alongside partners such as World Travel & Tourism Council, Adventure Travel Trade Association, International Ecotourism Society, and trade fairs like WTM London. Research symposia have featured collaborations with universities including Cambridge University, University of Oxford, Columbia University, and University of São Paulo. Funding and sponsorship come from entities like European Maritime Safety Agency, philanthropic foundations such as Rockefeller Foundation and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and corporate partners in maritime technology from companies similar to Rolls-Royce Holdings and Kongsberg Gruppen. The Association also recognizes excellence through awards modeled after industry prizes like the National Geographic World Legacy Awards.
Category:Marine tourism organizations