The future development of surf tourism in coastal destinations in Western Europe : analysis of the potential development of surf tourism in Western Europe and how it can set a benchmark for sustainable adventure tourism

Abstract

The report analyses surf tourism in Western Europe and its potential for sustainability. Surf tourism is an attractive sector of adventure tourism that generates increasing numbers of tourists. This development is caused by economic, physical, psychological, and social factors that are conjoined with surfing. These factors are analysed indepth to understand the potential development of surf tourism in the future. Sustainable development in surf tourism must be achieved. Many negative impacts of surf tourism on the environment, local economies, and local communities, despite its nature-based and spiritual origin, were identified. That is why the opportunities for Western European surf tourism to become sustainable are examined. A variety of sustainable measures and concepts for surf tourism will be presented.

A field study was conducted that researched the future development of commercial surf tourism. Thereby, the extent of surf tourism growth and the presence of sustainability in surf tourism businesses were identified. The results revealed a further increase in surf tourism and a great interest in sustainability. A difference between interest and realisation of sustainability could be discerned. The study showed that surf tourism will grow in the future. At the same time, it can set a benchmark for sustainable adventure tourism if it implements the rising offer of sustainable alternatives, like recyclable surf equipment, green transportation, and green housing maintenance.