How Can Stakeholder Co-Creation Foster Climate-Resilient Coastal Tourism Through Integrated Management of Climate, Water-Energy, and Beach-Dune Systems?

Anna Boqué-Ciurana (), Òscar Saladié, Maria Trinitat Rovira-Soto, Carla Garcia-Lozano, Carolina Martí, Marta Tonda, Gabriel Borràs and Enric Aguilar
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Anna Boqué-Ciurana: Centre for Climate Change C3, Department of Geography, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Spain
Òscar Saladié: Institut Universitari de Recerca en Sostenibilitat, Canvi Climàtic i Transició Energètica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Spain
Maria Trinitat Rovira-Soto: Eurecat, Catalonia Technological Center Tourism Planning Service, 43480 Vila-seca, Spain
Carla Garcia-Lozano: Department of Geography, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain
Carolina Martí: Department of Geography, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain
Marta Tonda: Department of Geography, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain
Gabriel Borràs: Catalan Office for Climate Change, Government of Catalonia, 08029 Barcelona, Spain
Enric Aguilar: Centre for Climate Change C3, Department of Geography, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Spain

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-28

Abstract: This research examines the pursuit of behavioral change for climate-resilient tourism along the Catalan coast by engaging territorial stakeholders in a co-creation process. This study is guided by the following research question: how can the co-creation of integrated climate services, water and energy management, and beach-dune conservation foster behavioral change among stakeholders towards climate-resilient tourism along the Catalan coast? Focusing on two destinations in Catalonia (Costa Daurada and Terres de l’Ebre), it examines three interconnected dimensions of tourism activity: (1) weather, climate, and climate change; (2) energy and water; and (3) beach-dune systems. Through our analysis, we pursue three secondary objectives: (1) to assess the influence of meteo-climatic conditions on tourist activity, (2) to identify necessary adaptation measures related to water and energy management, and (3) to explore how historical photographs can shape stakeholders’ perceptions regarding the relevance and conservation of the beach-dune system. By bringing together expertise in climate services, resource management, and ecosystem conservation, this study explores how collaborative engagement with public and private stakeholders can foster adaptive strategies that enhance the sustainability and resilience of coastal tourism. The findings directly respond to the research question by showing that co-creation processes integrating climate, resource, and ecosystem management can effectively foster behavioral change among stakeholders. Specifically, the main results highlight (1) a clear relationship between meteo-climatic conditions and tourism activities, underscoring the importance of climate awareness; (2) stakeholder recognition of practical adaptation measures focused on water and energy management to increase sector resilience; and (3) the use of the historical photographs as an effective tool to enhance participants’ understanding of beach-dune systems, improving their knowledge of these ecosystems’ dynamics, formation, and evolution.

Keywords: co-creation; stakeholders; climate change; adaptation; tourism; energy; water; beach management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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