The Influence of Water Quality Views on Visitor Behaviour at a South African Beach

Beach tourism is an integral component of Durban’s tourism economy but has been afflicted by issues related to a decline in water quality and beach closures in recent times. Causes of this stem from the destructive effects of unprecedented flooding, as well as the damage to property from looting that occurred during mid-2021 in the city. These events have led to or exacerbated existing problems of aging infrastructure, such as water and sanitation pipes and treatment plants, resulting in water pollution at the beaches. The compounded effects of these crises have severely impacted the beach tourism economy in Durban. Thus, this study explores the impacts of water quality on beach tourism in Durban, considering tourist perceptions thereof, and how this impacts their usage of the beach. The study adopted a quantitative approach, using a self-designed survey that was administered to respondents at the beaches located along the Golden Mile in Durban. A total of 386 surveys were collected and analysed using SPSS. Key findings indicate that whilst there is awareness of poor water quality at the beaches, visitors have opted to continually engage in beach and water-based activities. Regarding the perceptions of water quality, indications are that beach users are influenced by the visual cleanliness of the area/water and the presence of security personnel at the beaches. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the relationship between water quality and tourism activities, and how this can be leveraged for the local tourism economy in Durban.