Chapter 5
Beach Resort and Destination
Resort Marinas:
Managing the Operation
Identify the changing trends in the
demographic profiles of the market
for beach resorts and destination
resort marinas.
Beach Resorts
• Beaches and Islands
– People who travel to beaches for vacation: take
longer holidays, and spend more money. They are
more likely to take their children along, to fly to the
destination, and to rent a car.
– 110 million person trips are made annually to beaches
– Top states that benefit from coastal tourism are:
California, Florida, New Jersey, and Hawaii
Changing Trends
• Scuba Travel
– Scuba diving is a $2.6 billion annual business
in the U.S.
– There are over 3 million certified scuba divers
in the U.S.; a six-fold increase since the
1980’s.
– “Live Aboards” are upscale dive resorts in Asia
– “Big Animal Encounters” include swimming
with and photographing animals.
Changing Trends
• Romance Related
– More than 42 million Americans take at least
one trip a year to attend a wedding, go on a
honeymoon or celebrate an anniversary
– Most common among baby boomers and
those who live in the South
Changing Trends
Destination Resort Marinas
• Boaters
– It’s estimated that 69 million people
participated in recreational boating in 2004, in
17.6 million boats
– The major boating states include: Michigan,
Florida, California, Minnesota, and Texas
– The increased interest in boating is due to a
growing economy with increasing disposable
incomes, leisure time and individual mobility
Identify operational environmental
standards for both beach resorts
and destination resort marinas.
• In 1987 the Blue Flag concept began as
an eco-label “certifying” beaches (and
later marinas) as meeting quality
standards relating to water quality,
environmental management, and safety
and services.
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Water Quality
– In the Caribbean and South Pacific the
microbiological limit values for E. coli faecal
enterococci are set at 100/100 ml and 40/100
ml respectively
– Water samples should be taken every two to
three weeks, where the concentration of
bathers is highest
– No wastewater, industrial or urban, should
affect the quality of the beach
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Water Quality (cont.)
– Storm water outlets must be clean at all times
– Once a year, divers should collect data
regarding a site description focusing on the
extent of human imprints on coral reefs
– Algae should not be allowed to accumulate to
the point where it is a hazard or a nuisance to
beach users
– Seaweed dried on the beach can be used as
fertilizer
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Environmental Management
– The operation of a beach and its immediate
surroundings should comply with local and
regional land-use plans
– There should be no signs of litter on a beach
– Trash containers must be available on/by the
beach in adequate numbers, regularly
maintained and emptied
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Environmental Management (cont.)
– Recycling facilities must be available on/by the
beach
– The number of sanitary facilities will depend
on the average number of beach users during
peak season, the length of the beach and the
number and location of beach access points
– Cars should be kept at least 65 feet away
from the water’s edge
– In most Blue Flag beaches, pets are not
allowed on the sandy part of the beach
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Safety and Services
– Determining the appropriate number of lifeguards and
equipment requires a risk assessment of the beach
– Where no lifeguards are present, lifesaving equipment
should be provided every 120 feet with visible
instructions
– Separate geographic zones can be set up for various
activities; separated by buoys, beacons, or signs
– The beach should be managed in a way that helps
protect the environment
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Safety and Services (cont.)
– Emergency plans should be developed in order to be
proactive in planning for hazards
– Safe access can be provided by: securing stairs with
handrails, designating crosswalks, and reserving
disabled drivers parking lot spaces.
– Security guards may be necessary to provide a safe
environment
– Potable drinking water must be available on the
beach
– A map of the beach indicating different facilities must
be displayed
Operational Environmental
Standards
Destination Resort Marinas
Irresponsible activities can seriously erode
the health and aesthetics of near-shore
marine environments and coral reefs
Operational Environmental
Standards
Managing Environmental Impacts
• Anchoring
– Using anchors for mooring recreational boats
can cause extensive damage to coral reefs
– Anchoring can result in: fewer fish, fewer
living corals, fewer new corals, more stressed
corals, more algae growth, cloudy water, and
destruction of sea grass beds.
– Using mooring buoys and educating resort
guests can minimize or prevent damage.
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Boat Operation
– Improper operation of a boat can result in accidents
that crush and kill areas of coral and other reef
dwelling organisms.
– Boaters should be urged to follow proper navigation
and mooring principles in regards to staying within
designated channel markers and obeying all speed
signs.
– A comprehensive educational program should be
offered to guests prior to renting a boat in such areas
as basic navigation, boat handling, and safety
principles.
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Boat Sewage and Garbage Disposal
– When raw or partially treated sewage is
dumped in coastal waters, people and the
environment are subject to risk.
– Plastic objects and styrofoam debris are often
consumed by turtles, seabirds, fish and
marine mammals
– Boaters should be urged to use pump-out
facilities on land
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Snorkeling, Diving and Snuba
– Irresponsible or inexperienced snorkelers and
divers can crush and break corals and other
reef-dwelling organisms with fins, equipment,
and body parts
– Swimmers should be made aware of local
laws when touching marine life
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Seafood Consumption and Souvenir Purchasing
– The near-shore environment is threatened when
marine resources are over-harvested for seafood
and/or ornamental souvenirs.
– Over-consumption reduces the very resources that
attract tourists in the first place.
– Resorts can educate guests about which species
should not be consumed as food or purchased as
souvenirs.
– Gift shops should not be selling or purchasing marine
ornamental souvenirs.
– Restaurants on the property should not serve fish that
are threatened or endangered.
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Recreational Fishing
– Recreational fishing can result in the overharvesting of a number of marine species.
– Management can encourage catch-andrelease fishing to help protect endangered
species.
– Many think that spear fishing also contributes
to excessive harvesting.
Operational Environmental
Standards
• Marine Wildlife Viewing
– Marine species have a greater economic value
when they are viewed rather than harvested.
– Improper boating practices and corralling of
animals during viewing can be detrimental
– Resorts that offer tours can avoid chasing
marine animals, practice a no-contact policy,
and avoid feeding and surrounding wild
animals.
The End!