Social and recreational value of waves: application of the Zonal Travel Cost Method with surfers from Icaraí beach (Caucaia, Ceará, Brazil)

Abstract

This article presents the results of an analysis of the social and recreational value of waves at Icaraí Beach, located in Caucaia municipality, Ceará, Northeast Brazil. The evaluation of the wave resource followed the Zonal Travel Cost Method, a fundamental tool for obtaining economic estimates ​​of ecosystem services that are not subject to market forces. The method provides a valuation of unique abiotic resources that underpin tourism, sporting and recreational economies. For data collection, 50 questionnaires with open and closed questions were administered from February to July 2019 to a specific audience, the local surfers. The social value of Icaraí’s surf break is strongly related to the surfers' familiarity with the beach, as well as in the perception of the wave resource as a profitable attraction for the local economy. It is estimated that the economic benefit of the surf break at Icaraí Beach is US$ 288,364 per annum, which is spent by 1,185 surfers, averaging US$ 1.37 for each surf trip. In summary, the values ​​reflect economic benefits for the municipality of Caucaia and can assist decision-making processes, contributing to the protection and maintenance of the beach by incorporating wave resources into an effective coastal management strategy. Keywords: Value of waves. Surfers. Surfing. Cost of Travel Method. Coastal Management.