Beach, sun and surf tourism

Beaches are arguably the most valuable of coastal tourism assets. Around beaches, communities develop and tourism markets expand, often resulting in intimate human interaction with diverse environments. This chapter provides an overview of economic research on beach and surf recreation and tourism in existing and expanding markets, including a description of the techniques most commonly used to estimate the economic impact and value of beach recreation and some of the challenges around developing accurate estimates of use and value. Better understanding of the drivers and values for beach and surf tourism is an important consideration for optimal management of coastal tourism and recreation assets. This is brought into sharper focus as a result of the frontline exposure of many of these assets to the impacts of climate change. The importance, utility and benefit of beach valuation studies are highlighted through two detailed cases that demonstrate the use of a range of techniques and applications. The authors conclude the chapter with a discussion on the rationale for the development of a framework to more accurately identify and value beach and surf tourism and recreation assets and how it might best be applied to improve management outcomes.