Coastal erosion and tourism: Perceptions and impacts in an iconic Chilean destination
Resumen
abstract
Coastal erosion poses an increasing threat to the sustainability of tourism in vulnerable destinations. This study analyzes the perceptions of tourists and tourism enterprises regarding the impacts of this phenomenon in La Serena, Chile, a flagship destination along the Pacific coast. A mixed-methods approach with concurrent triangulation was employed, combining surveys with 176 tourists and 22 tourism businesses, complemented by semi-structured interviews with experts. Quantitative analysis (χ², Cramer’s V, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests) revealed low levels of erosion knowledge among visitors (65.4% with limited or no understanding). However, residents of the Coquimbo Region exhibited significantly higher knowledge levels compared to non-residents (H(1) = 4.23, p = 0.040), with a small but detectable effect size (rrb = 0.18). Erosion was perceived as a critical issue, with statistically significant differences between groups (U = 2741, p = 0.001; r = 0.42): tourism businesses expressed greater concern, highlighting that total sand loss could compromise infrastructure and economic viability. Qualitative analysis identified environmental, economic, and governance-related factors that exacerbate these impacts. The study concludes by emphasizing the need to develop integrated coastal zone management strategies and adaptive public policy frameworks to address increasing vulnerabilities in coastal settings.
Keywords: Coastal erosion, tourism sustainability, tourist perception, mixed methods, Chile.
RESUMEN
La erosión costera representa una amenaza creciente para la sostenibilidad del turismo en destinos vulnerables. Este estudio analiza las percepciones de turistas y empresas turísticas sobre los impactos de este fenómeno en La Serena, Chile, un destino emblemático del litoral pacífico. Se empleó un diseño mixto con triangulación concurrente, a partir de encuestas aplicadas a 176 turistas y 22 empresas turísticas, complementadas con entrevistas semiestructuradas a expertos. El análisis cuantitativo (χ², V de Cramer, Mann-Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis) evidenció bajos niveles de conocimiento sobre la erosión entre visitantes (65,4% con escasa o nula comprensión). No obstante, quienes residían en la Región de Coquimbo presentaron niveles significativamente más altos de conocimiento que los no residentes (H(1) = 4,23, p = 0,040), con un efecto pequeño pero detectable (rrb = 0,18). La erosión fue percibida como un problema crítico, con diferencias significativas intergrupales (U = 2741, p = 0,001; r = 0,42): las empresas mostraron mayor preocupación, advirtiendo que la pérdida total de arena comprometería la infraestructura y la viabilidad económica. El análisis cualitativo identificó factores ambientales, económicos y de gobernanza que intensifican los impactos. Se concluye sobre la necesidad de desarrollar estrategias integradas de gestión costera y formulación de políticas públicas adaptativas.
Palabras clave: Erosión costera, sostenibilidad del turismo, percepción turística, métodos mixtos, Chile.
Palabras clave
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/s0718-235x2025000100069
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