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Abstract
The growth of surfing activities and surf tourism has gained significant attention in the academia during the past decade. This paper is aimed at developing a framework of indicators and methods used in assessing the sustainability factors of surf sites. The research puts forward a Surf Resource Sustainability Index (SRSI) as a conceptual model to study the sustainability of surf tourism sites. The literature review, previous experience, and discussion with veteran surfers and scholars were used to develop indicators and determine their measurability and aptitude. Index pilot testing was carried out in Phuket, Thailand, where an emerging surf culture and tourism market segment add to the island's bustling economy and coastal resource-management issues. The case study underpins the importance of social, economic, environmental, and governance factors in the conservation process. The SRSI metrics provide a direct method for assessing surf sites and offer tangible benefits to surfers and other stakeholders.
Acknowledgements
This research benefited from the enlightened engagement of Australian surf tourism scholars Ralf Buckley, Neil Lazarow, Danny O'Brien, and Jess Ponting. We thank Daryl Pieta and Dimitri Kokoromytis for their suggestions and critiques to our study. Although we have drawn upon the collective knowledge of the studies found herein, any errors are our own. Particular thanks to the Faculties of Environmental Management, International Studies, and Hospitality and Tourism at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand for their support.