Beyond the perfect wave : environmental awareness of surf tourism : a case study of Peniche, Portugal

Springwald, Sarah,

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/3247

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Authors

Springwald, Sarah,

Advisor(s)

Jorge, João Paulo da Conceição Silva

Abstract(s)

This dissertation was conducted in fulfillment of the requirements for a Master degree in Sustainable Tourism Management at the School of Tourism and Maritime Technology of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria in Peniche, Portugal. The sustainability of surf destinations has gained considerable attention over the last decades and surfers have been identified as key stakeholders for the planning and development of sustainable surf tourism. In order to achieve changes in people’s behavior, it is important to gain insights into their beliefs and values and how these influence their decisions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess surf tourists´ environmental awareness by using the revised NEP scale (Dunlap et al. 2000) and additional questions, and thus, simultaneously enlightening the contradictory relationship between the representation of surfers and the environment, and further contribute to sustainable surf tourism planning and development. A quantitative method was applied to this study by conducting a questionnaire amongst 145 surf tourists in Peniche, Portugal. The results show, contrary to other studies and the representation throughout media, that surf tourists do not identify with the term environmentalist. Nevertheless, they have a strong ecological worldview, meaning that they have an environmental awareness in a broader sense. The majority of the respondents display a mid-ecological to pro-ecological attitude. However, when it comes to surf related issues and the environment, it seems that there is a lack of awareness. Further, it shows that there is a high willingness to advocate for the environment, however, it became also evident that there is a lack of knowledge on how to advocate for the environment amongst most respondents. Thus, the findings suggest that there is a need to educate and engage surf tourists.