PARK WATCH Article March 2025 |

Ahalya Suresh from RMIT University outlines her research in Regenerative tourism for blue carbon ecosystems

What’s the elevator pitch for your PhD?

Blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs), specifically mangroves and seagrasses, store vast amounts of atmospheric carbon, making them powerful allies in the fight against climate change. But despite their value, they’re under threat, including by unsustainable tourism development.

I explore how the tourism industry can help reverse impacts of blue carbon loss, by conserving and restoring these ecosystems through a novel tourism model called ‘regenerative tourism.’

By involving tourists, tourism operators/business and other stakeholders in blue carbon restoration, I aim to create a model where tourism funds and supports ecosystem recovery rather than harming it. I’m using choice modelling coupled with economic valuation, stakeholder perceptions analysis and tourism climate index techniques.

My PhD project has flourished thanks to a strong partnership between my lab at RMIT (Centre for Nature Positive Solutions) and The Long Run, a collaborative network dedicated to sustainable tourism. Their support has been instrumental in engaging tourism operators and key stakeholders across the globe, encouraging them to actively participate in this research.

Together we’re working to promote the regeneration of BCEs; demonstrating how the tourism industry can transition from being a passive beneficiary of nature to an active force in its restoration.

What led you to do this PhD?

Growing up in Sri Lanka, a stunning tropical island, I was always fascinated by how much the country thrives on coastal tourism. Tourists flock to its shores for boat rides, diving and snorkelling, often in places filled with mangroves and seagrasses.

During my Masters, I worked on mangrove blue carbon projects in Sri Lanka and saw first-hand how human activities – especially (eco)tourism – can unintentionally degrade these sensitive ecosystems. I became particularly interested in the potential of tourism as a force of good. And it sparked a question in my mind: Could the very industry that threatens these habitats also become part of their solution?

This question led me to explore how tourism can actively invest in and contribute to blue carbon restoration and, in turn, how the industry itself can benefit from healthier ecosystems.

My goal is to bridge restoration with tourism in a way that supports both nature and communities, ensuring these ecosystems don’t just survive but thrive for generations to come.

What challenges have you had to overcome?

Like any research that involves multiple stakeholders, my PhD has come with its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest has been getting tourism operators to see the long-term value of investing in ecosystem restoration. While many are interested in sustainability, convincing them that regenerative tourism isn’t just an ethical choice but also a viable business strategy has required extensive discussions, data and prediction models.

Another hurdle was navigating the complexities of stakeholder interests. Restoration/regenerative practitioners, tourism operators and locals all have different priorities. Aligning them towards a shared vision for blue carbon restoration took time, patience and a lot of negotiations.

On the scientific side, quantifying the tangible benefits of restoration-based tourism activities, both for ecosystems and businesses, is a work in progress. While I’m not an economist or a sustainability expert, this challenge has expanded my skill set and allowed me to approach blue carbon restoration from different perspectives.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt so far?

It’s amazing how regenerative tourism can be a true game-changer in ecosystem restoration, especially in BCEs, where it’s linked with climate change mitigation, carbon credits and ecosystem resilience.

Convincing tourism operators/businesses to get involved and invest in such a novel tourism model is quite hard. But it was surprising how many of them got interested in the concept, how they can implement it and at what scale.

What’s particularly exciting is how this creates a sustainable cycle (or a loop): healthy ecosystems attract more eco-conscious tourists and absorb carbon which, in turn, helps the industry grow and be green.

It’s fascinating to see how aligning tourism with environmental stewardship can create benefits for the environment, businesses and local communities.

What impact do you want your research to have?

I want my research to demonstrate that ecosystem restoration and tourism sector can co-exist to benefit ecosystems, economies and communities. By developing a model where tourism directly contributes to the restoration of BCEs, I aim to shift how the industry view its relationship with nature – not as something to exploit but to preserve and nurture.

The tourism industry is a major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions, but BCEs offer a unique opportunity to turn the tide. As natural carbon sinks, these ecosystems can play a crucial role in offsetting emissions, making them a perfect fit for such a tourism model.

With the growing interest in blue carbon credits, many stakeholders are beginning to see the potential of investing in tourism that actively supports restoration. It’s an exciting shift, where tourism isn’t just reducing harm but becoming part of the climate solution.