Open AccessFirefly tourism: Advancing a global phenomenon toward a brighter future
Author(s) -
Lewis Sara M.,
Thancharoen Anchana,
Wong Choong Hay,
LópezPalafox Tania,
Santos Paola Velasco,
Wu Chiahsiung,
Faust Lynn,
De Cock Raphaël,
Owens Avalon C. S.,
Lemelin R. Harvey,
Gurung Hum,
Jusoh Wan F. A.,
Trujillo Daniel,
Yiu Vor,
López Pablo Jaramillo,
Jaikla Soraya,
Reed J. Michael
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
conservation science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2578-4854
DOI - 10.1111/csp2.391
Subject(s) - firefly protocol , tourism , lampyridae , ecotourism , business , environmental resource management , scope (computer science) , environmental planning , marketing , geography , ecology , economics , biology , computer science , programming language , zoology , archaeology
Fireflies are charismatic beetles with attractive bioluminescent courtship displays that have recently been swept onto the global stage of nature tourism. Here, we provide the first comprehensive review of the geographic scope, magnitude, focal species, and other attributes of the major firefly tourism sites worldwide. Through targeted interviews and surveys, we estimate that in recent years over one million tourists travelled annually to sites located in at least 12 countries for firefly‐watching. Rapid proliferation of firefly tourism provides a timely opportunity to examine how such activities may impact local firefly populations, and to highlight the biological factors that make certain species especially vulnerable to tourism‐associated threats. We offer science‐based best practices for firefly ecotourism that can be tailored to fit local circumstances, including recommendations to: (1) Conserve the habitats required for all life stages to thrive, (2) involve local communities as key stakeholders, and (3) provide training programs for guides and interpretive materials for visitors. Finally, we provide suggestions for transforming tourist behavior to minimize impact on firefly populations. By developing management plans that incorporate these recommendations, firefly tourist sites can enhance the visitor experience, protect natural resources, benefit local communities, and help promote the conservation of invertebrate biodiversity.