A Systematic Literature Review of Coastal and Marine Tourism Within Marine Protected Areas in Sub-Saharan Africa (2015–2025)

Tyobeka, Thabelo (2026) A Systematic Literature Review of Coastal and Marine Tourism Within Marine Protected Areas in Sub-Saharan Africa (2015–2025). MODERN GEOGRÁFIA, 21 (4). pp. 1-17. ISSN 2062-1655

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Abstract

Coastal and Marine Tourism (CMT) is increasingly acknowledged as a significant component of conservation-oriented development in Sub-Saharan Africa; however, research addressing CMT within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) remains fragmented. This systematic review synthesised peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2015 and 2025 to identify key characteristics, opportunities, and challenges related to CMT within MPAs and adjacent coastal areas in the context of conservation development. Searches were conducted using the databases Taylor & Francis Online, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost, with the final search completed in November 2025. A structured screening process resulted in the inclusion of 22 systematically relevant articles published across 13 peer-reviewed journals. Inclusion criteria comprised empirical and conceptual peer-reviewed studies focusing on CMT within and around MPAs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Exclusion criteria eliminated grey literature, studies not addressing CMT or MPAs, and publications not written in English. The reviewed literature indicates that CMT within MPAs predominantly focuses on marine wildlife tourism. The synthesis employed a qualitative narrative approach, and study quality was assessed using appropriate evaluation criteria. While CMT is widely perceived as a mechanism for generating financial value and supporting development through enhanced conservation awareness, several studies highlight emerging behavioural disturbances affecting marine species, limited community involvement, and development challenges related to the societal legitimacy of MPAs. Overall, current trends suggest the presence of both substantial opportunities and notable risks, particularly concerning citizen involvement in scientific agendas. Key limitations of this review include publication bias, language restrictions, and reliance on search engines and databases for indexing.

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