Meet Mark J. Spalding, long-time ocean advocate and President of The Ocean Foundation (TOF). With a deep-rooted connection to the sea and over two decades of leadership, Mark has helped shape a bold vision for a sustainable blue economy. One that restores marine ecosystems, empowers coastal communities, and drives real, measurable change.

In our latest interview, Mark shares his vision on how responsible tourism can be a powerful tool for ocean conservation and climate resilience. From pioneering blue carbon offsets to advancing inclusive, community-based tourism models, Mark explores the vital link between economic development, environmental stewardship, and the health of our ocean planet.

What inspired your passion for ocean conservation while shaping The Ocean Foundation’s alignment with your vision for a sustainable blue economy?

I attribute my passion for ocean conservation to a lifelong connection with the sea. This connection began when I was captivated by the sight of the Pacific Ocean every time I headed west from my hometown in California’s Central Valley. This passion has driven me to focus on reshaping humanity’s relationship with the ocean through sustainable practices and innovative strategies.

As its President for over 20 years, I have worked to align TOF with my vision for a sustainable blue economy by emphasizing regenerative and restorative ocean activities. I co-created the first-ever blue carbon offset program, SeaGrass Grow, and advise on ocean-centric investment funds such as the Rockefeller/UBS Ocean Engagement Fund.

My work promotes decoupling economic development from environmental degradation, ensuring that marine industries contribute to human well-being and ecological health.

My deep and long dedication to a sustainable blue economy reflects my belief in protecting marine ecosystems for the sake of both nature and humanity. To achieve these objectives, I emphasize measurable goals, transparent governance, and inclusive collaboration. This aligns TOF’s mission to improve global ocean health, climate resilience, and the blue economy with other international efforts. We create partnerships to connect all people in the communities in which we work to the informational, technical, and financial resources they need to achieve their ocean stewardship goals.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities for sustainable tourism within the blue economy framework?

The blue economy concept fundamentally views ocean resources as opportunities for sustainable economic growth while preserving marine ecosystem health.

Tourism is only truly sustainable if the local community reaps economic benefits and defends the natural resources that attract visitors and sustain marine life.

First, sustainability means developing coastal tourism infrastructure that minimizes environmental impact while maximizing local economic benefits. This includes designing eco-friendly resorts and facilities incorporating renewable energy, waste management systems, and water conservation measures. In addition to the jobs created by these systems’ construction, operation, and maintenance, additional economic activity derives from the potential to expand the deployment of technologies to meet community needs. These developments can serve as models for how tourism can operate within ecological boundaries while generating substantial revenue.

Second, marine-based tourism activities can support conservation efforts. Well-managed snorkeling and diving operations can generate income for local communities while simultaneously supporting coral reef monitoring and protection. Kayaking, birdwatching, and other relatively low-impact nature-based activities also provide direct income to communities. When properly structured, these activities create direct economic incentives for preserving marine and coastal ecosystems rather than exploiting them unsustainably.

Third, empowering local coastal communities to develop and manage tourism operations ensures that economic benefits flow directly to those most impacted by marine resource management decisions rather than distant or foreign entities. This might include local guiding services, traditional fishing demonstrations, or cultural tourism experiences celebrating coastal heritage while providing sustainable livelihoods.

Fourth, developing well-designed marine protected areas (MPAs) that incorporate sustainable tourism elements can generate revenue through entrance fees and tourism activities while protecting critical marine habitats. This model demonstrates how conservation and economic development can be mutually reinforcing rather than conflicting goals.

How do you view the connection between ocean health, climate change, and the role of responsible tourism in addressing these challenges?

We need to create a potentially virtuous cycle: a healthier ocean supports sustainable tourism, which in turn can generate resources and awareness to protect ocean health and combat climate change.

The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating our climate by absorbing about 30% of human-produced carbon dioxide and over 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases. However, this absorption comes at a cost to ocean health.

When the ocean absorbs excess CO2, it acidifies, making it harder for marine organisms like corals and shellfish to build their calcium carbonate structures. Meanwhile, warming waters cause coral bleaching, disrupt marine ecosystems, and can lead to more frequent and severe storms that damage coastal areas.

Tourism enters this picture in four significant ways. First, conventional tourism often contributes to the problem through:

• Financing and development models that do not consider appropriate scale, local knowledge, or the long-term capacity of the community, as well as the potential resilience and opportunities for recovery from extreme storms
• Carbon emissions from visitors’ travel to a location and the operation of hotels, resorts, and other facilities. For example, burning diesel is the primary source of electricity on many Caribbean islands.
• There is direct damage to marine ecosystems from activities such as careless boating, diving, fishing, and snorkeling, as well as nutrient loading from onshore sources and cruise ship wastewater.
• Coastal development drains freshwater resources and contributes to nutrient pollution, as well as the potential harm to natural barriers such as mangroves and wetlands that also nurture marine life.

However, responsible tourism can become part of the solution. When properly managed, it can:

• Generate funding for local marine and coastal conservation programs, including enforcement of marine protected area protocols
• Support the need for local communities to protect rather than exploit marine resources by increasing the retention of earnings in the community and promoting resilience.
• Raise awareness about the threats to marine resources and their solutions among visitors who might become advocates for ocean protection.

The key is developing tourism models that minimize environmental impact while maximizing benefits to both ocean conservation and local communities.

This might involve:

• Using renewable energy and water conservation strategies in coastal resorts
• Implementing and enforcing strict guidelines for marine activities
• Supporting local conservation initiatives
• Educating visitors about marine ecosystems and climate change

How does The Ocean Foundation empower coastal communities to participate in sustainable tourism initiatives?

TOF helps create a sustainable tourism model that benefits coastal communities and marine ecosystems. Our approach recognizes that truly sustainable tourism must empower local residents as active participants and decision-makers rather than passive recipients of tourism development.

At its core, TOF recognizes that coastal communities are the primary stakeholders in marine tourism. Their livelihoods and cultural heritage are directly tied to ocean resources.

We implement a community-based tourism model that puts locals at the center of planning and decision-making processes and expects that the majority of benefits will accrue locally.

One of our main approaches involves providing technical training and capacity-building programs. Local community members are educated in sustainable tourism practices, such as proper waste management, responsible wildlife viewing protocols, and low-impact recreational activities. For example, in small fishing villages, we help traditional fishers design more sustainable fishery management schemes and transition into roles as eco-tourism guides. This allows them to maintain their connection to the ocean while developing new economic opportunities that do not place undue stress on marine life.

TOF also helps establish community-owned tourism enterprises. We have provided seed funding, business planning support, and marketing assistance to help local entrepreneurs develop sustainable tourism businesses such as snorkeling tours, traditional craft workshops, or eco-lodges. In addition to building a local constituency for resources and promoting cultural heritage, this ensures that more tourism revenue stays within the community rather than flows to outside operators.

We work with communities to develop appropriate tourism infrastructure that balances visitor needs with environmental protection. This might include installing mooring buoys to prevent anchor damage to coral reefs, creating interpretive centers that showcase local marine heritage, or developing designated paths to avoid erosion in sensitive coastal areas.

An essential aspect of our work involves fostering partnerships between communities and the broader tourism industry. We have helped negotiate fair agreements between local initiatives and larger tourism operators, ensuring that community enterprises can access established tourism markets while maintaining control over their resources and receiving equitable compensation. We also support the ability of members of smaller communities to participate in larger meetings where decisions are being made that affect them.

TOF also emphasizes environmental monitoring and conservation. We train community members to conduct basic marine ecosystem monitoring, allowing them to track the health of their local resources and adjust tourism activities accordingly. This scientific understanding helps communities make informed decisions about sustainable tourism development and builds their capacity as environmental stewards.

We help communities integrate traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices into tourism offerings, ensuring increased tourism activity strengthens rather than erodes local heritage.

This might involve developing cultural tourism experiences that showcase traditional fishing methods, local cuisine, or maritime customs.

Can you share an innovative project or partnership that has made a significant impact on ocean conservation and sustainable tourism?

TOF partnered with the Loreto Bay Company in 2004 to create the Villages of Loreto Bay, a pioneering sustainable development project in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. This $3 billion initiative aimed to establish North America’s largest sustainable resort community, spanning 8,000 acres and integrating principles of regenerative design and “New Urbanism.”

Key features included renewable energy generation, water desalination, biodiversity enhancement, and eco-friendly construction practices. The project also set aside over 5,000 acres for conservation (recently designated a National Park) and allocated 1% of gross real estate sales to the Loreto Bay Foundation to support local conservation and community initiatives. Despite challenges during the 2008 economic downturn, the development persists as a significant achievement in sustainable tourism.

The Villages of Loreto Bay’s influence extends globally, inspiring similar initiatives that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship. Its success has demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale sustainable tourism, encouraging stakeholders worldwide to prioritize eco-conscious practices in resort development and the broader travel industry. This model has helped establish new standards for how tourism projects benefit local communities and natural ecosystems.

Going forward, what are your key priorities for promoting sustainable ocean tourism while engaging stakeholders to drive these initiatives forward?

TOF has been actively advancing sustainable tourism. These efforts reflect TOF’s commitment to fostering a resilient blue economy while authentically engaging stakeholders to ensure long-term coastal and ocean tourism sustainability.

TOF recently provided grant funds to eight regenerative tourism projects on island nations to enhance sustainability and resilience in coastal tourism.

The organization integrates sustainable tourism into its broader blue economy framework, emphasizing coastal resilience, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable resort partnerships.

In Loreto Bay, Mexico, TOF continues its resort partnership model to fund local conservation and community projects while ensuring ecological sustainability. TOF’s Blue Resilience Initiative promotes sustainable ecotourism by restoring coastal habitats, enhancing biodiversity, mitigating ocean acidification, and supporting local economies. TOF prioritizes projects near human communities for direct benefits for sustainable tourism sectors.

TOF engages with stakeholders through collaborative models, capacity building, and the Tourism Action Coalition for a Sustainable Ocean (TACSO). It partners with vetted developers and stakeholders to ensure best practices in tourism planning, construction, and operation, aiming to leave lasting environmental legacies for local communities. TOF aligns efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals and supports participatory governance and planning in tourism development.

TOF is dedicated to research and innovation in sustainable tourism. It invests in developing innovative solutions that balance economic growth with ocean health, monitors environmental impacts, and creates scalable models.

TOF also supports regional strategies in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, enhances governance, shares best practices, and raises awareness about the benefits of sustainable tourism.

Thank you, Mark!

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn or find out more about The Ocean Foundation here. If you enjoyed our interview with Mark, please share it and spread the word about sustainability and responsible travel.

Mark has been featured because he has been peer nominated for our community of sustainable tourism impact makers. We count over 400 trailblazers around the world – meet them here.