Beach users' profile, perceptions and willingness to pay for beach management in Cadiz (SW Spain)

Beaches are complex systems on which different activities and interests are pursued. The most widespread activities relate to tourism and recreation. An individual's choice for a particular coast depends on the site characteristics and user's perception. In order to identify beach users' profiles and perceptions, a beach survey was carried out in the beaches of Cadiz, SW Spain, and subsequent sociodemographic factors affecting people's willingness to pay for beach management were identified. Despite part of the economic interests in Cadiz being related to tourism-related activities, most of the beach users are Cadiz residents. Respondents say that the elevated number of people in the beach during high season is problematic and causes unpleasant consequences, like accumulation of litter. Moreover, people mentioned the inadequate number of beach facilities (e.g. recreational services, showers, W.C.'s) and the perceived need for beach nourishment in some specific areas of the coast. The hypothetical implementation of a fee for beach management improvement was not supported by interviewees. A high number of local visitors of low economic status seemed lobe the variables driving this finding. Regardless of beach users' assertions that the quality of the urban coast of Cadiz could be improved, they were not prepared to pay increased tax to achieve this.