Ocean Literacy Talk Series | Between Tourism and Conservation

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Donsol, Philippines, is a small town that many people in Hong Kong may never have heard of, yet it is widely regarded as one of the world's most iconic destinations for whale shark ecotourism. Encounters with wild whale sharks here cannot be guaranteed, or encouraged through feeding. Every sighting depends entirely on nature's timing and conditions.

Despite this uncertainty, visitors from around the world continue to visit Donsol every year. How did this quiet fishing village transform into an internationally recognized ecotourism success story—one that attracts tourists while safeguarding marine ecosystems? How have local communities, visitors, and conservationists worked together to create a tourism model based on respect for wildlife?

Why has a destination that offers no guarantee of seeing whale sharks become a famous international example of whale shark tourism? And what lessons can Hong Kong learn from Donsol's journey from a small fishing village…