The impact of Blue Flag status on tourist decision-making when selecting a beach
The Blue Flag programme holds many benefits when looking from a conservation point of view, such as preserving the natural environment. But what are the benefits when looking from a tourism perspective? In the literature it is stated that a beach’s Blue Flag status has little to no impact on the...
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doaj-689d0d1c361542e3b643ca061ab408562020-11-24T23:11:19ZengAfricaJournalsAfrican Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure2223-814X2014-01-0132article_50_vol_3_2_2014The impact of Blue Flag status on tourist decision-making when selecting a beachL Geldenhuys0P Van Der Merwe1 North-West University North-West University The Blue Flag programme holds many benefits when looking from a conservation point of view, such as preserving the natural environment. But what are the benefits when looking from a tourism perspective? In the literature it is stated that a beach’s Blue Flag status has little to no impact on the decision making of visitors when selecting a beach at which to spend their holiday. The aim of this article is to determine the impact of Blue Flag status on visitors’ decision-making when selecting a beach. Probability sampling was used with systematic sampling methods. A survey was conducted from between March and April, 2013 at six beaches across the Margate area. A total of 572 usable questionnaires were collected. The results showed whether or not a beach has Blue Flag status has little influence on the decision-making of beach visitors as little difference was found between the decision-making aspects of Blue Flag and non-Blue Flag beach visitors. It was noted that aspects of importance for decision-making for both groups of visitors form mostly part of the criteria set by the Blue Flag programme. This article makes three main contributions to the current literature; firstly, new information was identified regarding the role of the Blue Flag programme and what visitors are looking for when selecting a beach. Secondly, important aspects considered by visitors selecting a beach, such as cleanliness, landscape and popularity are identified. Lastly, this was the first time such research was conducted within a South African setting. http://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_50_vol_3_2.pdf Wildlife tourism marine tourism decision making Blue Flag |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
L Geldenhuys P Van Der Merwe |
spellingShingle |
L Geldenhuys P Van Der Merwe The impact of Blue Flag status on tourist decision-making when selecting a beach African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Wildlife tourism marine tourism decision making Blue Flag |
author_facet |
L Geldenhuys P Van Der Merwe |
author_sort |
L Geldenhuys |
title |
The impact of Blue Flag status on tourist decision-making when selecting a beach |
title_short |
The impact of Blue Flag status on tourist decision-making when selecting a beach |
title_full |
The impact of Blue Flag status on tourist decision-making when selecting a beach |
title_fullStr |
The impact of Blue Flag status on tourist decision-making when selecting a beach |
title_full_unstemmed |
The impact of Blue Flag status on tourist decision-making when selecting a beach |
title_sort |
impact of blue flag status on tourist decision-making when selecting a beach |
publisher |
AfricaJournals |
series |
African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure |
issn |
2223-814X |
publishDate |
2014-01-01 |
description |
The Blue Flag programme holds many benefits when looking from a conservation point of view, such
as preserving the natural environment. But what are the benefits when looking from a tourism
perspective? In the literature it is stated that a beach’s Blue Flag status has little to no impact on the
decision making of visitors when selecting a beach at which to spend their holiday. The aim of this
article is to determine the impact of Blue Flag status on visitors’ decision-making when selecting a
beach. Probability sampling was used with systematic sampling methods. A survey was conducted
from between March and April, 2013 at six beaches across the Margate area. A total of 572 usable
questionnaires were collected. The results showed whether or not a beach has Blue Flag status has
little influence on the decision-making of beach visitors as little difference was found between the
decision-making aspects of Blue Flag and non-Blue Flag beach visitors. It was noted that aspects of
importance for decision-making for both groups of visitors form mostly part of the criteria set by the
Blue Flag programme.
This article makes three main contributions to the current literature; firstly, new information was
identified regarding the role of the Blue Flag programme and what visitors are looking for when
selecting a beach. Secondly, important aspects considered by visitors selecting a beach, such as
cleanliness, landscape and popularity are identified. Lastly, this was the first time such research was
conducted within a South African setting. |
topic |
Wildlife tourism marine tourism decision making Blue Flag |
url |
http://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_50_vol_3_2.pdf
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