Journal article
Surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve, Australia: Direct Expenditure and Travel Cost Analyses of Recreational Surfing
Coastal Management, Vol.52(6), pp.449-470
2024
Abstract
Over the past 50 years, wellbeing, tourism and recreation have driven significant changes to coastal areas, yet our understanding of the drivers remains focused on traditional activities like swimming, fishing and scuba diving. Over 50 million people worldwide practice recreational surfing, and the presence of high-quality waves is an increasing appeal for surf-rich locations. Focusing on Noosa World Surfing Reserve in Queensland, Australia, this study has two goals: understand the market and nonmarket values associated with recreational surfing; and highlight opportunities for surf break management to be better incorporated into coastal management activities. Based on our survey responses (n = 140), we found average surf-related expenditures are $1,897 per person per year, including direct expenditure in the reserve and surfing equipment. An application of the travel cost method reveals consumer surplus of A$48 per surfing trip to the Noosa World Surfing Reserve. We conclude that policies aimed at preserving surf breaks and improve users’ experience offer an important contribution to coastal management and planning, particularly when managed and natural coasts are under increasing pressures, such as from urban developments and coastal erosion.
Details
- Title
- Surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve, Australia: Direct Expenditure and Travel Cost Analyses of Recreational Surfing
- Authors
- Javier X. Leon (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAna Manero - Australian National UniversityNeil Lazarow - Australian Centre for International Agricultural ResearchAlaya Spencer-Cotton - University of Western AustraliaTom Wegener - Noosa CouncilPhil Jarratt - Noosa World Surfing ReserveTristan Pearce - University of Northern British Columbia
- Publication details
- Coastal Management, Vol.52(6), pp.449-470
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Inc.
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1080/08920753.2025.2443376
- ISSN
- 1521-0421
- Grant note
- This work was supported by the School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast. ASC was partially supported by the by The Australian National University College of Asia and the Pasic (CAP) 2022 Asia-Pacific Innovation Program (APIP) Basic and Applied Research Grant, for the project “Surfing Economics: quantifying the value of surfing to Australian economy and society.”
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991091971602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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