Will Climate Change Affect the Attractiveness of Beaches? Beach Users’ Perceptions in Catalonia (NW Mediterranean)

Briana Bombana (), Raquel Santos-Lacueva and Òscar Saladié
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Briana Bombana: SGR Interfase Research Group, Department of Geography, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
Raquel Santos-Lacueva: Fi Group, Recinte Industrial, 08690 Santa Coloma de Cervelló, Spain
Òscar Saladié: Department of Geography, Rovira i Virgili University, 43003 Vila-seca, Spain

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: Considering climate is a key resource for tourism, we investigated beach users’ profiles and their perceptions regarding three acknowledged effects of climate change (CC): temperature changes, reduction in beach area and water restrictions. Chosen as our case study, Catalan beaches are recognized globally as a coastal destination visited by national and international tourists as well as local residents and could, thus, shed light on potential trends. We conducted 867 surveys with users from 18 beaches classified as urban, semi-urban and natural beaches during the summer season. Questions approached three main blocks of information: sociodemographic profiles, characteristics of the stay and mobility, and perceptions regarding potential CC impacts. The results identified differences in profiles and perceptions among users of different types of beaches. Regarding CC effects, temperature changes and beach area reduction appeared to be more limiting and decisive factors than water restrictions in future scenarios, although reductions in drinking water are also less accepted. Foreigners were generally more sensitive to the effects considered, possibly due to their greater flexibility in choosing tourist destinations. Finally, the capacity of this type of approach to highlight key issues and related human behavior in future scenarios is useful for tourism management, especially subsequent adaptation options.

Keywords: climate change; beach attractiveness; beach users’ perceptions; beach management; tourism management; tourism sustainability; adaptation; Catalonia; Mediterranean region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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