Surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve, Australia: Direct Expenditure and Travel Cost Analyses of Recreational Surfing

Over the past 50 years, wellbeing, tourism and recreation have driven significant changes to coastal areas, yet our understanding of the drivers remains focused on traditional activities like swimming, fishing and scuba diving. Over 50 million people worldwide practice recreational surfing, and the presence of high-quality waves is an increasing appeal for surf-rich locations. Focusing on Noosa World Surfing Reserve in Queensland, Australia, this study has two goals: understand the market and nonmarket values associated with recreational surfing; and highlight opportunities for surf break management to be better incorporated into coastal management activities. Based on our survey responses (n = 140), we found average surf-related expenditures are $1,897 per person per year, including direct expenditure in the reserve and surfing equipment. An application of the travel cost method reveals consumer surplus of A$48 per surfing trip to the Noosa World Surfing Reserve. We conclude that policies aimed at preserving surf breaks and improve users’ experience offer an important contribution to coastal management and planning, particularly when managed and natural coasts are under increasing pressures, such as from urban developments and coastal erosion.