Conservation Hub: The Added Value of the Whale-Watching Industry
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
I sincerely recommend this exellent essay for publication, as it will help other researchers to better understand the essence of the relationship between ecotourism and wildlife.
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Sustainability Manuscript ID 1920599
Essay review
Title: Conservation hub. The added value of the whale-watching industry
Dear Editor/Researchers
The topic of the scientific work presented in the paper is interesting and there is a need in the scientific community to share the specific researcher as it is presented in this case study of the whale-watching on the case study of Whalesafari.
For the improvement of the paper, I recommend giving more insights on the results of the interview (on tourist satisfaction according to the experience) and to highlight the important conclusions for the scientific development and tourism growth of the whale-watching industry.
It would be great for the paper to insert the map of the geographic area with the position of the island and whale watching area (the case study of Whalesafari).
With mentioned improvements, the paper (essay) is relevant and worth publishing.
Kind regards
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
This is a case study presenting the activities of a whale-watching company in Norway. The article is interesting since whale ecotourism is an emerging and dynamic form of tourism. Authors are invited to consider the following comments:
· Authors suggest that tourism and whale research may establish synergistic relationships, where tourism revenue will be used to fund whale research. At the same time, they claim that “most of the research has been focused on understanding the impact whale watching has on the target species”. I wonder if by bringing in tourists you are helping to create the problem that you are then called upon to deal with through your research? Please comment.
· In line 237, authors describe the benefits of whale-watching activity to the local host community. Apart from the benefits mentioned, there is no mention at all of the creation of tourism businesses supporting whale-watching businesses (e.g. hotels, restaurants). Have such businesses opened in the area?
· I can’t find Fig. 1 mentioned in line 87. Where is it?
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
