MALDIVES

The Maldives is almost unique in having an aggregation site where the sharks can be seen all year round.

In just one site in the Maldives whale sharks directly generate $9 million per year in tourism revenue. 

Unfortunately, the Maldives is typical of the majority of whale shark hotspots, in that the management of whale shark tourism has not caught up with the burgeoning industry.

With high tourism levels and whale shark viewing excursions originating from numerous disparate resorts in the popular South Ari atoll region, this is also a challenging environment for government agencies to manage.

As a result, whale sharks are being negatively impacted both through the disturbance of their habitat and behaviour, but also through collisions with the tourist vessels that seek to find them. 

The more positive information guests have before they arrive at a resort or embark on an excursion, the less negative pressure they will put on their guides.

By having a film to show to guests that demonstrates the correct way to experience these amazing creatures without negatively affecting them makes a huge difference.