With the economic growth of the surf travel industry, its negative impacts on the natural surroundings in which it is taking place are rising. At the same time it contributes to climate change. A growing number of surf schools and surf camps cater for younger surf tourists and offer accommodation and surf safaris especially on the south-western coast of Portugal. Besides the residential or accommodation related impacts like the use of fossil energy, waste water and other consumption related effects, transport from the camp to the surf spot by car is one of the most polluting aspects in the destination. Despite of these impacts, surfing as an activity is less destructive than other tourist action sports or motor-driven water sports. Still, vegetation damage or erosion of hinterland dunes can be caused by surfers searching access to the break as well as damaging reefs while wading through shallow water or while anchoring with a charter boat. Indirectly caused impacts include the manufacturing process of surfboards or wetsuits which is highly polluting. Although board shapers as Kuntiqi Surfboards or enterprises such as Patagonia are trying to use more environment friendly material, the majority still uses foam blanks and petrochemicals. Consequently, the carbon footprint of a traveling surfer should not be underestimated. However, the following quotation shows that surfers are already aware of the negative environmental impacts they cause: “In my experience surfers are usually open minded to the idea that we, as humans, are affecting the climate through our carbon emissions. Due to surfing’s connection with nature, we have a vested interest in ensuring global warming doesn’t get out of hand. For example, rising sea levels will make that low tide reef you love work less often.“ (Lomax 2010, online). For surfing does not work without surfable waves, there is of course a need to focus on sustainability issues also within surf tourism. How aware are European surf tourists of the matter? If so, are they only aware or is there a willingness to actively change their very own behavior or to influence the behavior of surf tourism stakeholders so that negative impacts can be reduced? Could the willingness to pay more for an environmentally friendly operating surf camp appeal to surf camp owners to act in a more eco friendly way?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Content of the Study
1.1.1 Surfing, the Surf Industry and Surf Travel
1.1.2 Environmental Impacts of Surf Tourism
1.1.3 Sustainability Issues within Surf Tourism
1.2 Research Area
1.3 Methodology
2. Research Methodology
2.1 Literature Research
2.2 Methods of Inquiry
2.2.1 Fieldwork
2.2.2 Identification of the Focus group
2.2.3 Questionnaire Design
2.3 Limitations of the Survey
2.4 Results
3. The Concept of Sustainable Tourism
3.1 Terminology
3.1.1 Sustainable Development
3.1.2 Sustainable Tourism
3.1.3 'Agenda 21'
3.2 Criticism of Sustainable Development
3.2.1 Sustainability and the Capitalist System
3.2.2 Sustainability and the Tourism System
4. Surfing
4.1 Requirements for Surfing
4.1.1 Offshore Bathymetry
4.1.2 Swell Production
4.1.3 Excursus: Special Waves
4.1.4 Surfboards
4.2 History of Surfing and Surf Travel
4.2.1 The Birth of Surfing
4.2.2 The Dawn Patrol -Emerge of Surf Travel
4.3 The Global Surf Industry and Surf Tourism
4.3.1 Surfing Today
4.3.2 Surf Tourism as a Part of the Global Surf Industry
4.3.3 The Role of the Media
4.4 Environmental issues in the Global Surf Industry
4.4.1 Manufacture of Surf-Equipment - Surfboards
4.4.2 Manufacture of Surf-Equipment - Wetsuits
4.4.3 Manufacture of Surf-Equipment - Apparel
4.4.4 Surf Travel
4.5 Mitigation Strategies within the Global Surf Industry
4.5.1 Rethinking the Manufacture Process
4.5.2 Rethinking Marketing
4.5.3 Rethinking the Role of the Media
4.5.4 Surf Brands' Initiatives
4.6 Mitigation and Surf Travel
4.6.1 Emissions
4.6.2 Recommendations to reduce Emissions
4.7 The Role of NGOs
4.7.1 The Surfrider Foundation
4.7.2 Surfers against Sewage
4.7.3 Other Campaigns and Projects
5. Surf Tourism
5.1 Introduction and Terminology
5.1.1 Definitions of Surf Tourism
5.1.2 Academic Examinations of Surf Tourism
5.1.3 Recreational and Commercial Surf Tourism
5.1.3 Economical Considerations
5.2 Sustainability Issues related to Surf Tourism
5.2.1 Coastal Protection
5.2.2 Managing Surf Destinations
5.2.3 Socio-Cultural Issues
5.2.4 Crowding
5.3 Traveling Surfers and Surf Tourists
5.3.1 Limits of Definition
5.3.2 Differentiation between Traveling Surfers & Surf Tourists
5.3.3 Characteristics of Surf Tourists
5.3.4 Types of Traveling Surfers Surf Tourists and in the Algarve
5.3.5 Identifying the focus group of the study
5.4 Surf Tourism Components
5.4.1 Surf Schools
5.4.2 Surf Camps, Surf Lodges and Surf Resorts
5.4.3 Surf Tour Companies
6. Surfing, Tourism and Surf Tourism in the Algarve, Portugal
6.1 Tourism in Portugal
6.1.1 Tourism in Portugal's Coastal Regions
6.1.2 Tourism in the Algarve
6.1.3 Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina (PNSACV)
6.1.4 Sustainability issues in the PNSACV
6.2 Surfing and Surf Tourism in the Algarve, Portugal
6.2.1 Surfing Portugal
6.2.2 Surf Tourism Infrastructure
6.3 The Algarve - a European Destination for Surf Tourism
6.3.1 The PNSACV as Surf Destination
6.3.2 Surf Spots along the Algarve coast
6.3.3 The Algarve Surf School Association
6.3.4 Conflicts among surf tourism stakeholders
7. Environmental Certification and Surf Tourism
7.1 Tourism Ecolabeling
7.1.1 What is an Ecolabel?
7.1.2 Certification and Accreditation
7.1.3 Certification Process
7.2 Certification Efforts within Surf Tourism
7.2.1 Center for Surf Research (CSR)
7.2.2 The Surf Rider Foundation
7.2.3 Global Boarders
7.2.4 'Sustainable Surf'
7.2.5 Excursus: The role of NGOs in Certification
7.3 Guideline Design for Surf Tourism with lower Environmental Impact
7.4 Difficulties and Hurdles in Certification in Surf Tourism
7.4.1 Finances /Government
7.4.2 Size and Style of the Company
7.4.3 Local Peculiarities
8. Survey Results
8.1 Survey Results Surf Tourists
8.1.1 General Information
8.1.2 Questions referring to Surf Travel Habits
8.1.3 Questions referring to Environmental Awareness
8.1.4 Questions referring to Eco Certification
8.2 Survey Results Surf Tourism Providers
8.2.1 General Information
8.2.2 Questions referring to Environmental Awareness
8.2.3 Questions referring to Surf Tourism Provider's attitude towards Eco Certification
8.2.4 Identification of possible guidelines for Eco certification
8.2.5 Questions referring to Surf Providers Attitude towards Educational Measures
9. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis examines the phenomenon of surf tourism, specifically focusing on its environmental impact and the potential for establishing more sustainable practices. It investigates the current awareness of surf tourists and providers in the Algarve region regarding ecological issues, assesses their willingness to adopt eco-certified services, and identifies potential criteria for a certification scheme tailored to surf tourism infrastructure.
- The environmental impacts of the global surf industry and surf travel.
- Attitudes and awareness of surf tourists toward sustainable surf tourism.
- Current management practices of surf tourism providers in the Algarve.
- Challenges and opportunities for implementing eco-certification in surf tourism.
- Strategies for mitigating the environmental footprint of surf tourism.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1.2 Environmental Impacts of Surf Tourism
High quality surf spots attract surfers from all over the world who don't avoid traveling long distances by car or air transport. In their travel behavior, they are nor very distinct from other tourists in the destination. Fuel emissions, accommodation related consumption such as energy and water supply and catering are known for having the most negatively influencing factors on a global as well as a local scale. The environmental impacts of surf tourism will be discussed in the context of surf camps. As Dickinson & Lumsdon (2010) argue, transportation is one of the key issues in sustainable tourism development. This also the case of the surf tourism providers in the Algarve. Insight into mitigation strategies within the global surf industry and how they can function for surf tourism is provided at the end of this section.
The concept of sustainable development in general does not imply a static relationship between the tourist, the host region and the tourist infrastructure it is based on (Hall & Lew 1995). While considering sustainable surf tourism a part of the capitalist system, the concept proofs to be impractical to be applied in the surf tourism industry at this time. Since the term 'sustainability' is now widely used for 'greenwashing' or mere marketing strategies it fails to provide enough authenticity to withstand the political reality surrounding tourism development (Hall et al.1998). Realistically the future of sustainable surf tourism as a holistic concept is unsure, so it was decided to use the term 'eco friendly' or 'low environmental impact' surf tourism in this study. This decision also meets actual certification efforts. NGOs that are dealing with environmental issues related to surfing are still ongoing while the study was conducted. The Surfrider Foundation Europe and the San Diego based Center for Surf Research are both working on certification processes for surf tourism providers.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the study's aim to gain insight into the surf industry and the potential for making surf tourism more eco-friendly through certification.
2. Research Methodology: Details the literature research and the empirical methods used, including questionnaires and focus groups in the Algarve.
3. The Concept of Sustainable Tourism: Explores the definitions of sustainable development, sustainable tourism, and critiques their application within the global tourism system.
4. Surfing: Provides a background on the surfing phenomenon, including history, industry, environmental impacts, and various mitigation strategies adopted by brands and NGOs.
5. Surf Tourism: Defines surf tourism, identifies its components, and discusses the socio-cultural and environmental issues associated with it.
6. Surfing, Tourism and Surf Tourism in the Algarve, Portugal: Contextualizes the study by analyzing tourism in Portugal and the specific conditions in the Algarve surf tourism sector.
7. Environmental Certification and Surf Tourism: Discusses the theoretical framework of ecolabeling and examines existing certification efforts and guidelines within the surf industry.
8. Survey Results: Presents the empirical findings gathered from surf tourists and surf tourism providers in the Algarve.
9. Conclusion: Summarizes the key findings, reinforcing the potential for eco-certification to support more environmentally responsible surf tourism in the future.
Keywords
Surf Tourism, Sustainable Development, Environmental Impact, Eco-Certification, Algarve, Surf Camps, Surf Industry, Sustainable Tourism, Coastal Protection, Mitigation Strategies, Tourism Management, Surf Travel, Questionnaire Analysis, Environmental Awareness, Best Practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research study?
The study focuses on the phenomenon of surf tourism, aiming to determine if environmental certification can serve as an effective tool to foster more eco-friendly practices in the industry, with a case study in the Algarve, Portugal.
What are the primary themes addressed in the work?
The work addresses the environmental impacts of the surf industry, the attitudes and environmental awareness of surf tourists, the operational challenges of surf tourism providers, and the design of sustainability criteria for certification.
What is the primary objective of this thesis?
The objective is to gather and analyze data on the awareness of surf tourists and providers, evaluate their willingness to adopt sustainable practices, and identify viable criteria for eco-certification specifically for surf tourism.
Which research methodology was employed?
The researcher utilized a mixed-methods approach, including literature research, in-situ participant observation, and semi-structured questionnaires handed out to both surf tourists and surf tourism providers in the Algarve region.
What topics are covered in the main section of the book?
The main sections cover the history and industry of surfing, environmental issues (such as equipment manufacturing and travel emissions), the concept of sustainable tourism, regional analysis of the Algarve, and the evaluation of certification efforts.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
Key terms include Surf Tourism, Environmental Impact, Eco-Certification, Sustainability, Algarve, Surf Industry, and Sustainable Tourism Management.
How does the author view the potential for surf tourism to become more sustainable?
The author concludes that while significant challenges like the capitalist nature of the tourism industry and local economic hurdles exist, there is a positive attitude among both tourists and providers toward eco-friendly measures, suggesting that certification is a viable, albeit complex, pathway forward.
What specific role does the Algarve region play in this research?
The Algarve serves as a representative case study due to its status as a popular surf destination, allowing the author to examine the interplay between local coastal management, environmental protection, and the growing surf tourism infrastructure.
- Quote paper
- Carolin Segebrecht (Author), 2013, Eco Certification. A Tool to establish Surf Tourism with lower Environmental Impact?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/229460
