Reasons for Beach Choice: European and Caribbean Perspectives

Botero, C., Anfuso, A., Williams, A.T., Zielinski, S., Silva, C.P., Cervantes, O., Silva, L., Cabrera, J.A. 2013. Reasons for beach choice: European and Caribbean perspectives In: Conley, D.C., Masselink, G., Russell, P.E. and O’Hare, T.J. (eds.), Proceedings 12th International Coastal Symposium (Pl

Posted: 18 Jan 2015

See all articles by Camilo Mateo Botero

Camilo Mateo Botero

Universidad de la Costa

Giorgio Anfuso

Universidad de Cádiz

Allan Williams

University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD)

Seweryn Zielinski

Independent

Carlos Da Silva

e-GEO, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas

Omar Cervantes

Universidad de Colima

Lidia Silva Iñiguez

Universidad de Colima

Juan Alfredo Cabrera

Grupo COSTATENAS

Date Written: April 13, 2013

Abstract

Beach users’ preferences range greatly according to their cultural and educational heritage, national and local traditions, social status, sex, etc. Questionnaire surveys carried out on beach user preferences (50 beach aspects) in Wales, UK (n = 2,345); Hollywood beach, Florida, USA (n = 83), the Costa Dorada, Spain (n =157); Malta (n = 154) and Turkey’s Aegean coast (n = 245) showed that five parameters were of the greatest importance on beach choice: safety, facilities, water quality, litter and scenery. Such kind of detailed surveys has never been carried out in Caribbean countries. Consequently, a great uncertainty exists regarding beach users’ preferences. Dur ing Easter 2012, a total of 435 beach users along eight beaches of the Caribbean littoral of Colombia (Mayapo, Riohacha, Taganga, Rodadero, Puerto Colombia, Salgar, Bocagrande and Manzanillo) were interviewed. Specifically, persons were asked (i) to choose from a list of parameters, the three most important aspects to be taken into account in choosing a beach and (ii) the reason they decided to visit that specific beach. Dealing with the former, results differed from ones recorded in Europe in that scenery was deemed not to be important. Concerning the latter, great variety of responses was recorded but the main aspect in beach selection was “proximity” for both local and national visitors. Aspects such as “a relaxed friendly” atmosphere and “party atmosphere” were mentioned. In this sense, it is interesting to notice the particular perception that Caribbean beach users showed for the “relaxed friendly” atmosphere. On many occasions beaches classified as such, were very crowded and extremely noisy because of loud music and peddlers. Results obtained constitute a first step in the knowledge of Caribbean beach users’ preferences and therefore is one, which is of a great importance for beach management.

Keywords: Beach user’s preferences, environmental quality, beach management, ICZM, Colombia, Proplaya

Suggested Citation

Botero, Camilo and Anfuso, Giorgio and Williams, Allan and Zielinski, Seweryn and Da Silva, Carlos and Cervantes, Omar and Silva Iñiguez, Lidia and Cabrera, Juan Alfredo, Reasons for Beach Choice: European and Caribbean Perspectives (April 13, 2013). Botero, C., Anfuso, A., Williams, A.T., Zielinski, S., Silva, C.P., Cervantes, O., Silva, L., Cabrera, J.A. 2013. Reasons for beach choice: European and Caribbean perspectives In: Conley, D.C., Masselink, G., Russell, P.E. and O’Hare, T.J. (eds.), Proceedings 12th International Coastal Symposium (Pl, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2256979

Camilo Botero (Contact Author)

Universidad de la Costa ( email )

Cra. 55 #58-66
Barranquilla, Atlántico
Colombia

Giorgio Anfuso

Universidad de Cádiz ( email )

Polígono Río San Pedro s/n, 11510
Puerto Real
Spain

Allan Williams

University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) ( email )

College St
Lampeter
United Kingdom

Seweryn Zielinski

Independent ( email )

Carlos Da Silva

e-GEO, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas ( email )

Lisbon, 1099-085
Portugal

Omar Cervantes

Universidad de Colima ( email )

Facultad de Ciencias Marinas
Carr. Manzanillo-Barra de Navidad Km 19.5
Manzanillo, Colima 28860
Mexico
52(314) 3311205 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.ucol.mx/docencia/facultades/facimar/

Lidia Silva Iñiguez

Universidad de Colima ( email )

Facultad de Economía
Av. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez 64
Villa de Alvarez, Colima 28970
Mexico

Juan Alfredo Cabrera

Grupo COSTATENAS ( email )

Autopista a Varadero, Km 3 ½
Matanzas, Matanzas
Cuba

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