This guide highlights the importance of evaluating the performance of special events in order to ensure that they maximise their contribution to the host region. Although it is recommended strongly that events should be evaluated in a holistic fashion using techniques such as cost-benefit analysis, the focus of this guide is on the economic dimension of evaluation.
by Leo Jago and Larry Dwyer
With over 400 species of sharks inhabiting almost every aquatic ecosystem, divers and wildlife enthusiast are enjoying and paying good money to view sharks in their natural habitats. Operations to take tourists to view, dive or snorkel with sharks and rays are located across the globe.
A recent study found that shark tourism companies operate in 83 locations in 29 countries (Gallagher and Hammerschlag 2011). Divers are very interested in seeing sharks alive and healthy in the ocean and are willing to pay a lot to see them (White 2008). In Fiji, Vianna et al. (2011) estimated that 78% of all divers visiting the country in 2010 engaged in shark-diving activities. By ‘Shark Savers’. Read more.
