Whale watching tourism interferences and challenges for management in Espírito Santo

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59776/2764-5835.2026.8460

Keywords:

Blue Economy, Ecotourism, Whale Watching, Stakeholders

Abstract

Whale watching tourism has become an important ecotourism activity, promoting economic, social, and
environmental benefits in coastal regions. This study aimed to describe, from the perspective of stakeholders, the
impacts of whale watching tourism in the coastal metropolitan region of Espírito Santo, Brazil. A qualitative
approach was adopted, involving semi-structured interviews with 36 representatives from the public sector, private
sector, and third sector, as well as field diary records. Data were analyzed through thematic categorization,
discourse analysis, data triangulation, and descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that most participants
recognize positive impacts of the activity, particularly regarding local economic development, job and income
generation, strengthening of the tourism production chain, and sociocultural appreciation. However, challenges
related to infrastructure, the absence of specific public policies, the shortage of certified vessels, the need for
investments, and greater promotion of the activity were also identified. The study concludes that whale watching
tourism has significant potential to contribute to the sustainable development of Espírito Santo, provided that
governance strategies, integrated planning, and stakeholder participation are strengthened.

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Author Biographies

Pilsen Ca’lía da Costa Peterle, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

Bióloga, Mestre em Oceanografia Ambiental. Grupo Ecologia Humana do Oceano, Universidade Federal do
Espírito Santo. http://lattes.cnpq.br/5869807379230270.

Rafael Granvilla Oliveira, Secretaria de Estado do Turismo do Espírito Santo

Turismólogo, Mestre em Gestão Pública. Secretaria de Estado do Turismo do Espírito Santo.
http://lattes.cnpq.br/8310378625559532.

Camilah Antunes Zappes, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

Bióloga. Doutora em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais. Grupo Ecologia Humana do Oceano, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. http://lattes.cnpq.br/0217232489124641.

Capa da 4ª Mostra de Pesquisa Científica e Mercadológica da RBOT, com o logotipo da revista ReBOT no topo e uma ilustração de um parque turístico ao pôr do sol, destacando o título do evento e a marca da UERN na parte inferior.

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Published

2026-09-15

How to Cite

CA’LÍA DA COSTA PETERLE, Pilsen; GRANVILLA OLIVEIRA, Rafael; ANTUNES ZAPPES, Camilah. Whale watching tourism interferences and challenges for management in Espírito Santo. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF TOURISM OBSERVATORIES (ReBOT), [S. l.], v. 5, n. 2, p. 75–84, 2026. DOI: 10.59776/2764-5835.2026.8460. Disponível em: https://periodicos.apps.uern.br/index.php/ReBOT/article/view/8460. Acesso em: 21 sep. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): 4th RBOT Scientific and Market Research Showcase

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF TOURISM OBSERVATORIES (ReBOT)

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