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Humans are transforming the coastal and marine tourism environment at an ever-increasing rate. Concurrently, the multiple amenities and natural resources of coastal zones and the reality of population growth contribute to omnipresent tourism user conflicts. This results in social, wicked, and super wicked problems that are value infused, difficult to frame, and seemingly intractable. In response, scientists and other experts are encouraged to engage in use-inspired research. Further, they are advised to reconsider the basic applied science dichotomy and to make policy contributions in the role of the honest broker. Articles from the 8th International Congress on Coastal and Marine Tourism are introduced that deal with tsunami vulnerability (Thailand), wreck diving (Australia/Micronesia), national forest planning (Gulf of Alaska), cruise industry research, aquatic safety (Australia), surfing expansion (South Africa), stakeholder relations (Zanzibar, Tanzania), and kiteboarding (the Netherlands).

In this article current stakeholder collaboration in tourism development was investigated in the area Veerse Meer, a lake area situated in the southwest of the Netherlands. Since four local public organizations are involved in its development as well as multiple private stakeholders, it presents an interesting case to analyze options for collaboration. Through interviews and a discussion group with stakeholder representatives the research indicates that, despite an awareness of the importance of collaboration in tourism planning, collaboration is not seen as an effective strategy for the tourism development process in Veerse Meer. Different viewpoints, as well as the missing “sense of urgency,” are seen as major constraints for collaboration.

The organizing theme of the 7th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress was “Planning, Designing, and Managing the Destination.” This editorial begins with a commentary on how “destination” has been conceptualized and defined over the last several decades in the multidisciplinary tourism literature. Six articles presented at CMT '12 are introduced in this special double issue. Taken together they illustrate a variety of research questions and results bearing on the condition and future of coastal and marine tourism destinations.

Coastal and marine tourism has the potential to radically transform natural and social systems. Responsibilities for the condition of complex natural and social systems are properly addressed in the context of sustainable development. Tourism governance—regarded as more than management—concerns structures and processes that can be described and improved in accordance with societal values. Papers from the 6th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress illustrate how the African ubuntu dynamic gives meaning to tourism and facilitates positive touristic outcomes. Maturation of the field will be stimulated with studies of such issues as globalization and environmental change, cultural and biological diversity, social and ecological health, governance, and social and environmental justice.

*School of Marine Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA †Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand ‡Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA §School of Hospitality and Tourism, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand ¶New Zealand Tourism Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

As experiences in the popular parts of the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Pacific have shown, coastal and marine tourism have tremendous potential to transform the natural environment and society quickly and permanently. At a time of renewed concern for marine environmental policy issues such as habitat and endangered species protection, resource conservation, and water quality, travel and tourism have emerged as the world’s largest business. However, tourism has been only lightly treated in marine affairs literature. This article focuses on the opportunities and problems inherent in coastal zone tourism development. Major sections address ecological and social impacts of tourism, patterns of travel, and the instltutional framework for tourism management and planning. The article concludes with remarks on the 1990 ‘Congress on coastal and marine tourism’ held in Honolulu.