Government & NGO Services
Governments and NGOs play a critical role in shaping the future of marine tourism. We partner with governmental tourism departments, ministries, and agencies, Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), NGOs, foundations, community‑based organizations, and conservation groups to ensure marine tourism development is strategic, equitable, and genuinely contributes to ocean health and local prosperity.
Develop or strengthen sustainable marine tourism strategies and policies in line with international sustainable dive tourism standards, ISO-21416 and ISO 21417
Align tourism development with marine protected area goals and coastal resilience
Build capacity through training, certification, and community‑based programs
Measure and communicate the impact of responsible tourism initiatives
The Challenges You Face
You’re navigating complex landscapes, balancing economic development with environmental protection and social equity. You may be asking:
How can we develop marine tourism policies and strategies that are both effective and implementable?
How do we ensure tourism growth benefits local communities and aligns with conservation goals, rather than undermining them?
What are the best ways to build capacity among local operators and communities for sustainable tourism practices?
How can we measure and communicate the true impact of our sustainable tourism initiatives to stakeholders and funders?
How We Can Help
OEI provides the expertise and practical tools to help address these challenges by helping
public sector and non‑profit partners to design, implement, and evaluate marine tourism initiatives that deliver tangible benefits for people and nature.
Policy & Strategy Development
Craft robust, forward‑thinking policies and strategies that guide sustainable marine tourism development.
We offer support in:
Developing national or regional marine tourism strategies and master plans
Integrating sustainable tourism principles into marine spatial planning and protected area management
Designing regulatory frameworks and incentives for responsible tourism operators
Facilitating multi‑stakeholder dialogues to build consensus around tourism development goals
Outcome: Clearer, more effective policies and strategies that foster responsible tourism growth and protect marine resources.
Capacity Building & Training Programs
Empower local communities, tourism operators, and government staff with the knowledge and skills for sustainable marine tourism.
We design and deliver:
Training programs for local tourism entrepreneurs on sustainable business practices, marketing, and guest experience
Workshops for government staff on monitoring, enforcement, and destination management best practices
Programs for community‑based tourism initiatives focusing on governance, product development, and market access
Development of educational materials and toolkits for broad dissemination
Outcome: A more skilled and engaged local workforce and community, better equipped to participate in and benefit from sustainable tourism.
Conservation & Community Integration
Ensure marine tourism actively contributes to conservation outcomes and community well‑being.
We help you:
Design tourism‑funded conservation mechanisms (e.g., visitor fees, voluntary contributions)
Develop community‑based tourism models that provide direct benefits and empower local decision‑making
Create visitor management plans for sensitive marine sites (e.g., carrying capacity, site rotation, codes of conduct)
Facilitate partnerships between tourism operators, conservation groups, and local communities
Outcome: Tourism that is a net positive for marine ecosystems and provides equitable opportunities for local populations.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Communication
Measure the impact of your initiatives and effectively communicate successes to stakeholders and the public.
We support you to:
Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) for environmental, social, and economic impacts of tourism
Design monitoring frameworks and data collection protocols
Conduct evaluations of existing programs and policies
Craft compelling impact reports and communication strategies for funders, policymakers, and the public
Outcome: Data‑driven insights and clear communication that demonstrate the value and effectiveness of your sustainable tourism efforts.