coastal tourism jobs

Blue Generation Project

The Blue Generation project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment

Coastal Tourism

WATCH AN INTRODUCTION TO COASTAL TOURISM

What's it all about.

The sub-sector represents one of the most important areas of the Blue Economy.

Tourism is a great resource for Europe and more than half of the total tourism accommodation in the EU is located on coastal areas. Coastal tourism accounted for 40% of the gross value added (GVA), 61 % of the jobs and 42% of the profits of the total EU Blue Economy in 2016.

This growth must be harnessed in a way that is sustainable and delivers robust economic development. There are a multitude of sectors and services that are on offer.

For example, Nautical tourism includes recreational boating, cruises, marinas, water sports as well as maritime history tourism, marine wildlife tourism and many other land-based related activities such as nautical museums and resorts.

Increasingly, tourists are attracted less by traditional “sun & beach” style vacations and are instead opting for innovative activities such as coastal and marine archaeology, subaquatic tourism and culinary traditions.

The operators of the industry are adapting and offering ever new solutions and ideas, like for example exploiting the potential of the digital platforms of the “collaborative economy”, providing an ever increasing scalable and tailored experience to the consumer, creating employment and helping the social, economical and cultural development of their environments.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been substantial for the European tourism industry, bringing it to an almost complete standstill in much of the first and second quarter of 2020. The repercussions will continue to be felt in the coming years with tourism only slowly restarting, initially at regional, domestic and European level. International tourism will likely be affected longer due to border closures and less willingness by tourists to travel by plane. The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) estimates a 60% to 80% reduction in international arrivals, amounting to losses of between €840 and €1.100 billion in export revenues worldwide. In Europe, the summer is a crucial season for tourism. According to the European Commission, EU residents make 385 million tourism trips during an average summer season (June-August) and spend €190 billion.

Some areas of the tourism sector may be affected longer than others. The 2020 season has so far shown a varying picture with some regions benefiting from consumer interest in non-mass tourism activities and domestic, as well as European tourism. Young people wanting to enter the blue economy will be impacted and will have to carefully analyse the job market in the region they have chosen and adapt their skill-set. New opportunities will arise as tourists also adapt their interest to the new normal of COVID-19 and activities that potentially offer easier social distancing will become more popular.

The 2020 Blue Economy Report includes a case study on the recreational boating industry from our expert partner, European Boating Industry and you can find it from page 150 in the report.

Read the 2020 Blue Economy report here .

Find out more information about the impact of COVID-19:

• https://reopen.europa.eu/en
• https://www.unwto.org/tourism-covid-19
• https://etc-corporate.org/covid-19/
• https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_854
• Blue Flag certification scheme for beaches, marinas and boats
• EU Tourism policy
• Visit Europe
• EURES article on “Europe offers tourism job opportunities all year round”
• Eurostat data on employment in the tourism industry:
• JRC report on Behavioural changes in tourism in times of COVID-19
• World Travel & Tourism Council

Hotels and Accommodation

Hotel Manager: A Hotel Manager oversees all operations and day-to-day activities in a hotel organisation. They take on a variety of duties including managing everything from accounting, sales, business development, and customer service. It is sometimes referred to as a Hotel Operations Manager. You'll be responsible for the day-to-day management of a hotel and its staff. You'll also be commercially accountable for budgeting and financial management and will need to plan, organise and direct all hotel services, including front-of-house (reception, concierge, and reservations), food and beverage operations and housekeeping. In larger hotels you'll often have a specific remit, such as guest services, accounting or marketing, and your role will form part of a general management team.

Water sports, Beach Sports

Skipper: The skipper of a floating vessel can be described as the heart of the vessel. He is responsible for the boat and takes care of everything related to it. As a rule, everything the skipper says should be treated like a command by those present on the boat, because at times, the decisions taken by the skipper are of paramount importance. The skipper’s job not only concerns the work on board, but it can also involve recommendations on interesting routes, new places to visit or guidelines to follow while in water or on shore. He is ultimately responsible not only for the safety of the boat, but also the safety, comfort and welfare of all those on board his boat.

Walking, Bicycle and Activity Hobbies

Service providers to the sector (ITC, Web based services, equipment supplies, printing services)

Infrastructure builders, operators and logistics, agro and rural tourism, gastronomic and spa tourism.

Boat Maintenance Services

Ship Captain & Maritime Boat Captain: A Ship Captain or Maritime Boat Captain maintains ultimate command of the vessel they are operating. While this may be a high-pressure and demanding job, it is very much a rewarding experience, requiring someone with excellent people-management skills and an eye for detail. They have to ensure that all legal and company standards are adhered to in both the vessel and the crew, paying particular attention to any environmental issues such as oil spills or the emission of any other pollutants. Working within Maritime as a Ship or Boat Captain you will be responsible for the safety of the crew and any cargo, and so the Captain must regularly inspect vessels to assess whether they are seaworthy, and whether any machinery on-board is safe for use. Experience within the Maritime sector and technical knowledge of the vessel is required to be successful in this career, as is an in-depth understanding of tides, navigation and the effects of weather conditions.

Marina and yacht harbours

Boat charter and boat hire.

Meet professionals working in coastal tourism in the menu Interview.

Congress and Events Tourism

Events and congresses are a key component of the coastal and maritime tourism sector. A number of high-profile events take place by the coast and benefit from the unique location. This includes a number of trade fairs providing their services to several industries. This includes those related to the coastal tourism industry, such as at the boating sector in the form of boat shows (Genoa, Cannes, Barcelona). There are a number of other high-profile events and congresses that take place at the coast. They require specific expertise and offer many job opportunities for young people. Working as a congress or event organiser requires a number of transferable skills, such as networking, people and organisational skills. It offers a highly attractive and gratifying work environment by bringing together regional, European and international audiences to Europe’s coastal locations.

There are 1,000’s of opportunities in this sector, here are a few examples:

• Ship Captain & Maritime Boat Captain

A Ship Captain or Maritime Boat Captain maintains ultimate command of the vessel they are operating. While this may be a high-pressure and demanding job, it is very much a rewarding experience, requiring someone with excellent people-management skills and an eye for detail. They have to ensure that all legal and company standards are adhered to in both the vessel and the crew, paying particular attention to any environmental issues such as oil spills or the emission of any other pollutants. Working within Maritime as a Ship or Boat Captain you will be responsible for the safety of the crew and any cargo, and so the Captain must regularly inspect vessels to assess whether they are seaworthy, and whether any machinery on-board is safe for use. Experience within the Maritime sector and technical knowledge of the vessel is required to be successful in this career, as is an in-depth understanding of tides, navigation and the effects of weather conditions.

• Beach Life guard

Lifeguards work at beaches, rivers, swimming pools and water parks where they ensure the safety of swimmers and water sport participants. Lifeguards explain and enforce safety rules, rescue people in danger, and use their first aid knowledge to save lives.

• Coast Guard Services
• Environmental Officer
• ITC services i.e. Website designer

Description: Implementation of new projects, including preparation of documentation and coordination of the entire process

• 3D modelling
• Creating executive documentation
• Contact with other company departments and subcontractors in order to prepare the implementation
• Supervision of construction of the prototype
• Correspondence and meetings with team members in France
• Participation in the tests of the new mode
• Product improvement

Skills needed:

• Fluent service of design programs
• Fluent communication in English
• Good work organization and accuracy
• Ability to improvise
• Ability to work in a team

Working hours, patterns and environment career:

Working hours 7.00-15.00 Possibilities of development: improvement of skills needed in the current position, development within the position.

Qualification levels:

At the beginning:

• Knowledge of English
• Basic engineering knowledge
• Ability to work with CAD programs.
• Everything that at the beginning, but better and faster, and teamwork skills.
• Future of the career: Ease of working thanks to the further development of computer aided design software.
• Chef or Restaurant Staff
• Marine Consultant

Description: Training for marine companies such as shipyards, marinas, refit yards, charter companies, marine services on the following matters: emergencies, environmental management, lean manufacturing, improving operations, quality management.

• Improving skills of the marine staff
• Improve procedures
• Achieve coordination amongst workers
• Engineering knowledge
• Marine operations knowledge
• Environmental impact skills
• Organizational skills
• Educational “vocation”
• Open timetables
• Availability to travel
• Water Sports Instructor
• Walking Holiday Guide

Tour Guide As a tour guide, your job will involve introducing tourists to the unique and popular attractions, such as historical monuments, botanical gardens, museums, art galleries and other areas of cultural interest in coastal tourism areas. It also includes walks on beach places, tours on boat by the shore to see the coast and dolphins and other attractions. Your primary responsibilities will include planning and organizing tours around a certain coastal area. You will play the role of a cultural ambassador, offering commentary and interesting titbits of information, which will allow visitors to fully experience and enjoy the countries social, cultural and historical highlights.

• Cycling Team Tour Guide Leader or Operator
• Tourist Information Advisor

Travel Agent: The purpose of a Travel Agent is to sell transportation and accommodation to individuals and groups planning trips, in this case mostly to coastal areas. They provide advice on travel destinations, plan itineraries, and collect payments. These professionals are passionate about travel with an aptitude for sales and customer service.

• Apartment and Villa rental agent
• Property Management
• Charter Vessel Operations
• Excursion Operations
• Power boat skipper or instructor

With thanks to: Carl H.

How would you describe your Job?

I started my own business 10 years ago in Cala Dor, Mallorca, Maintaining and Cleaning boats. The business has now grown and I now have a small team working with me. It is very enjoyable work.

What tasks do you have to do in your work?

Day to day we provide a range of services to our client boat owners inc. - Interior and exterior cleaning, laundry, dry cleaning, steam cleaning - Repairs to gel, teak, fittings, - Maintenance to electric systems, generators and engines

Do you need any special Skills or Qualifications to do your job?

A large amount of common sense, a willingness to learn, some basic practical abilities and a positive outlook will get you far. As many of our clients are English as well as Spanish, languages are very important.

What do you think the future brings in this sector?

This sector is growing and there are more and more new, bigger boats coming to the western Med every year. The owners demand many services and we and other people working in this sector are well placed to enjoy the results.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The work is very fulfilling. It not only allows me to continuously interact with my customers but also I see my staff develop their knowledge and skills through the work experience. But other than the job itself, there are not many careers in the world where you can work hard for 9 months of the year and then at a much slower pace for 3. The boats I work on are valued between 50,000€ and 4 million € which means the work environment is pretty impressive. Finally, I am also a qualified professional skipper which means I get to drive these amazing machines as part of my job.

Do you have any tips for someone considering a similar career to yours?

Essentially, if you have a passion for the work and then you can develop a small enterprise into a prosperous affair. I love what I do and I recommend this as a job to any young person with lots of common sense. But in the end, it entirely depends on which seagoing career path you would like to follow.

With thanks to: Lucia Vilaplana Blasco (Administration)

How did you become interested in the marine environment?

It was a coincidence; I never had any contact with this sector before my job interview. I’m very glad I did, since it is a very pleasant sector to work with.

What are your tasks?

I am responsible for the administration and accountability department of a marine consulting company. I manage our clients boat documents and make sure everything is correct. My job is to flag and register new or used recreational boats. This includes change of ownership, listing, change of name or navigation area, port of registration, and dealing with all the documents related to the boat. I also organize surveys, make labor contracts for crews, provide insurance quotations, incorporating companies. I am also responsible for all of the accounting of our company, including managing payments from suppliers, paying fees and taxes and preparation of the quarterly and annual statements.

The main ability to carry out the tasks with the greatest possible professionalism is organisation, perseverance and the desire to learn. I also have to deal with clients and therefore it is very The main ability to carry out the tasks with the greatest possible professionalism is organisation, perseverance and the desire to learn. I also have to deal with clients and therefore it is very important to be educated and kind. Knowing how to work in a group is also a must. Degree in administration and accounting is the preferable certificate. One of the qualifications to work here is to be able to speak different languages and to have the desire to work. You need to be organized. Knowledge about the nautical sector is also important.

More than changing the profession in the future I would change the way we work to be more effective. Our aim is to provide more high-quality services to the customer.

What I most enjoy is having contact with people working in this industry. You find passionate people working in it.

Learning English and other languages is really important. Perseverance and the desire to learn will help them to be able to start a career in our sector.

With thanks to: Marek Wąsowski (Designer)

Through a passion for sailing and an article in "Żagle" ("Sails") magazine about the profession of yacht designer, which I read as a kid and I already knew what to do.

What was your entry route?

When I finished my studies, I found an ad from Ostróda Yacht, I sent a CV and go the position.

As a designer and project manager, I deal with comprehensive implementation of a new product from the planning phase, cooperation with designers and marketing through tests and modifications, and preparation for serial production. My duties cover construction and design issues, including the preparation of documentation and planning of the entire process.

Variety of tasks and contact with people.

Practice on production, then the transition from building forms, through lamination to assembly and then to the office.

With thanks to: Jose Luis Fayos (Marine consultant)

I like boats and sailing.

Working as consultant for marinas, at the beginning as an environmental consultant.

Assessing my customers and being on time with the deadlines.

As an expert assessing marine companies it is very important being qualified including in technical and management skills.

Training in the marine industry will change with the support of the new technologies and providing more detailed and customized courses, probably using simulators and specific apps.

The marine environment where the business is developed and the opportunity to change day to day and meet new companies and people.

Be passionate of what you do and enjoy it.

With thanks to: Marzena Pietrołaj (Specialist for product quality)

The marine industry connected to me my due to my interest in motorization and with time, also the field of study, which I chose to choose - Ship and Yacht Construction at Gdańsk University of Technology.

After completing two internships (additional and compulsory), I wanted to continue my cooperation with Ostróda Yachts.

I deal with qualitative and complaints as well as prototype validation and testing. I am responsible for the technical documentation of the projects.

The work dynamics and teamwork. The duties performed allow to acquire a wide range of knowledge regarding the design and construction of the yacht.

Changes are very possible, both at the software stage, which is used to create boat models as well as in the scope of production processes and their instrumentation.

If someone is interested in working in a technical profession and gets pleasure from creative work, he should find himself in a similar position.

With thanks to: Paulina

With thanks to: Sara Carasco Samartin

With thanks to: Veronica Gonzalo

WIth thanks to: Stafan

The project is implemented by

• The Ocean’s Importance

What is the Ocean Panel?

Advisory Network

The Agenda: Transformations

Ocean Wealth

Ocean Health

Ocean Equity

Ocean Knowledge

Ocean Finance

Sustainable Ocean Plans

Progress Reports

Action Groups

Sustainable Coastal & Marine Tourism

• Publications

Opportunities for Transforming Coastal and Marine Tourism: Towards Sustainability, Regeneration and Resilience

While the inherent balancing act of nature-based tourism has always been apparent, the unprecedented pause in global tourism induced by the pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to reassess and reset.

In December 2020, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) released its ‘Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: A Vision for Protection, Production and Prosperity’ .

One of the pillars of action within this ambitious roadmap for a sustainable ocean economy was for sustainable ocean-based tourism, establishing the goal that by 2030 “Coastal and ocean-based tourism is sustainable, resilient, addresses climate change, reduces pollution, supports ecosystem regeneration and biodiversity conservation and invests in local jobs and communities.”

To support efforts to deliver on this goal, the Ocean Panel commissioned a body of knowledge on coastal and marine tourism, including this special report.

We’ve seen the devastating impacts that the global pandemic has had on tourism, particularly for small island and coastal communities. We’ve also seen cases where reduced pressure from mass tourism has resulted in recovery of coastal and marine ecosystems. The past few years has made a strong case for change. There is an urgent need to ensure the continued viability of this important sector while at the same time building its resilience to climate change, disasters, pollution, urbanisation and ecosystem degradation. We know that sustainable ocean-based tourism can restore and protect the ocean while delivering jobs and prosperity. However, achieving this ambitious vision requires strategic public and private investments.

This special report outlines an approach for sustainable coastal and marine tourism that increases the focus on regeneration and resilience. It contains inspiring examples of destinations and individual businesses shifting towards a more sustainable approach that helps to restore the local environment on which it depends, supports local economic prosperity, and protects and even revitalises local traditional and heritage.

The coordinating lead author of this report is Eliza Northrop. Contributing authors include Peter Schuhmann, Lauretta Burke, Alan Fyall, Sergio Alvarez, Anna Spenceley, Susanne Becken, Kumi Kato, Joyashree Roy, Shreya Some, Joeli Veitayaki, Anil Markandya, Ibon Galarraga, Patxi Greño, Itziar Ruiz-Gauna, Matt Curnock, Megan Epler Wood, Melody Yue Yin, Sibylle Riedmiller, Eleanor Carter, Rizky Haryanto, Elizabeth Holloway, Robertico Croes, Jorge Ridderstaat and Maksim Godovykh.

Explore the accompanying Sustainable Coastal and Marine Tourism Expert Perspectives .

Accessibility Tools

Privacy overview.

• Kayak Tours
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• Canoe Tours
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• Bulls Island Tours
• Customizing Group Tours
• Event Space Available
• Mount Pleasant
• Isle of Palms
• Folly Beach
• Bulls Island

The Best Office in Town

Employment opportunities.

It's hard to commit to a job in Charleston when there are so many options. Let us tell you why Coastal Expeditions is worth considering: 1. We're on a heartpath. Our mission is to connect people with nature through meaningful experiences. Every tour, educational program and special event is curated with this in mind to develop a community of people who fall in love with- and protect- the Lowcountry. 2. We don't have a "standard day". If you're a guide or captain, you may be leading a group of kids down Shem Creek on a field trip one day and trekking through the ACE Basin the next. You'll learn skills like sea kayaking, client care, itinerary development and more. For our office staff, you'll get the satisfaction of a face-paced day getting people set up for their adventures along the South Carolina coast. And there are unexpected perks that you don't get at any other "office job" like manatee breaks, unlimited use of kayak and paddleboards, and impromptu harbor cruises. 3. We continue your enrichment and encourage growth. Once you're in, we'll help you get certifications like ACA kayaking, life guarding and first aid. And throughout the year we do team building outdoors (Conagree, Bulls Island, St. Phillips Island, etc) and indoors (Theatre 99, Syncronicity, etc). 4. We HUSTLE from spring until fall and we scale it back in the winter. Our office hours in the winter months are from 10-3, with a 2-week break in early February. It's a great time to recharge, travel and get excited about the returning spring! 5. We protect the places we explore through good stewardship and active conservation. The work of the Coastal Expeditions Foundation impacts every decision that we make.

Join Our Team!

Part-time, full-time, and seasonal positions are currently available, based out of our headquarters on Shem Creek. For Summer of 2024, we are looking to hire for Junior Camp Counselors & Camp Counselors. Field technician and internship positions available through The Coastal Expeditions Foundation. Job descriptions are posted for the opportunities available!

St. Phillips Island & Beaufort Rentals

Offering Kayaks and Paddleboards

Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.

Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.

Outpost Location

Need a guide.

If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.

Check out our St. Phillips Island & Beaufort tours.

Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant Rentals

Check out our Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant tours.

Isle of Palms Rentals

Check out our Isle of Palms tours.

Search Tours & Trips

Which location is most convenient.

• Daniel Island
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Coastal Tourism

Description of Coastal Tourism:

U.S. coasts are host to a multitude of travel, tourism, and recreation activities. To manage our coasts, plan for development, and assess impacts as a result of coastal hazards including sea level rise, it is important to have baseline economic information. To accomplish this, we need indicators of the economic value of recreation and tourism. We present the annual total change in billions of dollars of goods and services (GDP), employment and annual wages provided from tourism industries in the Gulf of Mexico, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Hawaii-Pacific Islands, Southeast, and California Current regions. This data does not include industries located in U.S. territories. 

Data Source:

The figures reported here lag three years and come from the most recently available data sets issued by the  Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau. The onset of the COVID-19  pandemic in 2020 coincided with significant declines in marine economy employment and output, particularly in  the tourism and recreation sector. The overall U.S. economy returned to growth in 2021 and 2022, but marine  economy data are not yet available for those years, nor in this year’s report. Subsequent years of data will shed  light the U.S. marine economy’s response to and recovery from pandemic-related disruptions.

Coastal Tourism GDP, employment, and real wage data was taken from NOAA’s Office of Coastal Management Economics: National Ocean Watch (ENOW) custom report building tool . Growth was estimated by subtracting the previous year’s value from the current year’s value, then dividing by the previous year’s value to present a percentage. All data was deflated to 2012 constant dollars using the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ chained dollar methodology.

For the most up to date data, please visit the original source linked above.

kayaking icon

Understanding the Time series plots

Time series plots show the changes in each indicator as a function of time, over the period 1980-present. Each plot also shows horizontal lines that indicate the median (middle) value of that indicator, as well as the 10th and 90th percentiles, each calculated for the entire period of measurement. Time series plots were only developed for datasets with at least 10 years of data. Two symbols located to the right of each plot describe how recent values of an indicator compare against the overall series. A black circle indicates whether the indicator values over the last five years are on average above the series 90th percentile (plus sign), below the 10th percentile (minus sign), or between those two values (solid circle). Beneath that an arrow reflects the trend of the indicator over the last five years; an increase or decrease greater than one standard deviation is reflected in upward or downward arrows respectively, while a change of less than one standard deviation is recorded by a left-right arrow.

Percent Change in Coastal Tourism Sector GDP

Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county tourism GDP showed a decreasing trend.

Values correspond to percent change in the GDP of the Tourism Sector of Coastal Counties in US States that border a region

Description of Time Series: Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county tourism GDP showed a decreasing trend.

Indicator Source Information

Coastal tourism Gross Domestic Product is the total measure (in billions of 2012 dollars) of goods and services provided from various industries involved in tourism services and products along the coast. Data for Coastal Counties come from the US Census Bureau. This dataset represents US counties and independent cities which have at least one coastal border and select non-coastal counties and independent cities based on proximity to estuaries and other coastal counties. The dataset is built to support coastal and ocean planning and other activities pursuant to the Energy Policy Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Rivers and Harbors Act and the Submerged Lands Act.

Hawai'i

Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county tourism GDP showed a significant decreasing trend.

Description of Time Series: Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county tourism GDP showed a significant decreasing trend.

California Current

Gulf of Mexico

Description of Time Series:  Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county tourism GDP showed a significant decreasing trend.

Great Lakes

Lake Ontario

Description of Time Series:

Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county tourism GDP showed an upward trend.

Description of Time Series: Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county tourism GDP showed an upward trend.

Lake Michigan

Lake Superior

Percent Change in total Employment of the Tourism Sector in Coastal Counties

Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county employment showed a decreasing trend.

Values correspond to percent change in the total Employment of the Tourism Sector of Coastal Counties in US States that border a region

Description of Time Series: Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county employment showed a decreasing trend.

Indicator Source Information:

Coastal tourism employment is the total measure of jobs in tourism industries along the coast.  Data for Coastal Counties come from the US Census Bureau. This dataset represents US counties and independent cities which have at least one coastal border and select non-coastal counties and independent cities based on proximity to estuaries and other coastal counties. The dataset is built to support coastal and ocean planning and other activities pursuant to the Energy Policy Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Rivers and Harbors Act and the Submerged Lands Act.

Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county employment showed a significant decreasing trend.

Description of Time Series: Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county employment showed a significant decreasing trend.

Northeast US

Southeast US

Percent Change in Real Wage Compensation for the Tourism Sector of Coastal Counties

Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county real wage compensation showed a decreasing trend.

Values correspond to percent change in the total real wage compensation of the Tourism Sector of Coastal Counties in US States that border a region

Description of Time Series: Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county real wage compensation showed a decreasing trend.

Coastal tourism wage is the measure of wages (nominal) paid to employees in tourism industries along the coast. Data for Coastal Counties come from the US Census Bureau. This dataset represents US counties and independent cities which have at least one coastal border and select non-coastal counties and independent cities based on proximity to estuaries and other coastal counties. The dataset is built to support coastal and ocean planning and other activities pursuant to the Energy Policy Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Rivers and Harbors Act and the Submerged Lands Act.

Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county real wage compensation showed a significant decreasing trend.

Description of Time Series: Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county real wage compensation showed a significant decreasing trend.

Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county real wage compensation showed an increasing trend.

Description of Time Series: Between 2015 and 2020 the average change in coastal county real wage compensation showed an increasing  trend.

Modal title

Time series plots show the changes in each indicator as a function of time, over the period 1980-present. Each plot also shows horizontal lines that indicate the median (middle) value of that indicator, as well as the 10th and 90th percentiles, each calculated for the entire period of measurement. Time series plots were only developed for datasets with at least 10 years of data. Two symbols located to the right of each plot describe how recent values of an indicator compare against the overall series. A black circle indicates whether the indicator values over the last five years are on average above the series 90th percentile (plus sign), below the 10th percentile (minus sign), or between those two values (solid circle). Beneath that an arrow reflects the trend of the indicator over the last five years; an increase or decrease greater than one standard deviation is reflected in upward or downward arrows respectively, while a change of  less than one standard deviation is recorded by a left-right arrow.

Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is a recreational diving membership and diver training organization

Regional Economy of Fisheries (GDP) and Percent Regional Economy Dependent on Fisheries: National Ocean Economics Program

Ocean Economy data include only ocean related activities and industries compiled from the databases of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data for the years 1990 to 2004 were generated by the National Ocean Economics Program. Data for all years beyond 2004 were generated by the NOAA Coastal Services Center. To access Coastal Economy data, which contain all sectors and industries of the coastal states, see Coastal Economy Data.

Regional Economy of Fisheries (Number of Establishments, Employments) and Percent Regional Economy Dependent on Fisheries: National Ocean Economics Program:

Inventory of Coastal Recreation and Tourism Data

As more communities turn to tourism for economic development, it becomes crucial to develop a sustainable tourism industry that enhances both communities and the environment. The NOAA Office for Coastal Management partnered with the Eastern Research Group to create an inventory of national and select state-level data on social and economic impacts of recreation and tourism, as well as associated environmental information on the impacts on natural resources. States included within the inventory are California, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Ohio.

NOAA Economic National Ocean Watch data base

The Economics: National Ocean Watch (ENOW) data set features time-series data focused on the six economic sectors that are dependent on the oceans and Great Lakes. ENOW is available for counties, states, regions, and the nation in a wide variety of formats.

Coastal Tourism Resources

Sea Grant works with coastal communities across the country to promote the safe and sustainable use of ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources.  In 2017, Sea Grant completed intensive thought exercises to focus work on several key topics, including coastal tourism. Check out the fact sheet below, or read the resulting action plan for Sea Grant’s work in coastal tourism.

• Coastal Tourism Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Coastal Tourism Vision Plan (PDF)

Mobile Apps & Websites

Big Bend Shellfish Trail

The  Big Bend Shellfish Trail  is where you can learn about Florida shellfish, aquaculture, sustainable environments that protect the waters, where to eat and where to buy (retail) Big Bend shellfish. This effort is sponsored in part by  Florida Sea Grant .

Blueways-Greenways in the Charleston, S.C. Region

South Carolina Sea Grant  worked with multiple partners to develop an interactive  web-mapping app  of blueways and greenways in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties which allows users to explore features in the area such as land and water trails, water access points, green spaces and historic sites. You can also check the current weather, wind conditions, and stream gauges. For more information: “ How To Guide for Developing Blueways and Greenways in the State of South Carolina ."

Chicago Water Walk

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant  developed the  Chicago Water Walk  website to help tourists explore the water front areas around Chicago. The website includes an online tour and mobile app download, and allows users to explore the city’s beautiful downtown lake and riverfronts. Along the way, users learn the importance of these resources to the region through fun facts, history, biology, and more.

Eat Oregon Seafood

Oregon Sea Grant  created this online resource to help people learn how and where to buy Oregon seafood. Find out about the types of seafood harvested in Oregon, see the seafood locator map and try out techniques for cooking and storing seafood  here .

Downeast Fisheries Trail

Maine Sea Grant  coordinates the  Downeast Fisheries Trail , which celebrates the fishing heritage of Downeast, Maine. The coastal trail is accessible by road, and each stop highlights a story related to fisheries heritage and history in the region. The project is also on  Facebook .

Dolphin and Whale 911

Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant  and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service partnered to develop  Dolphin and Whale 911 . The mobile app allows boaters and others to identify marine mammals and provides a feature to report injured or stranded marine mammals. In addition, the app promotes responsible wildlife viewing from a safe distance.

Guide to the Salt Marshes and Tidal Creeks of the Southeastern U.S.

This  comprehensive guide , produced in partnership by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources,  South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium  and Clemson Extension, provides an overview of salt marsh and tidal creek ecosystems in the southeastern United States. The guide includes information on species identification and classification, ecosystem services and threats, cultural and historical highlights, and stewardship opportunities.

Eat Wisconsin Fish

Wisconsin Sea Grant 's  Eat Wisconsin Fish  is all about local fish that are available to purchase in Wisconsin. Learn about the different fish types, the people who grow and harvest them, where to purchase and recipes for cooking and preserving.

Great Lakes Angler Diary

Michigan Sea Grant  developed a mobile app that allows anglers to track their catch and share valuable information with fisheries biologists .  The site and app can be found  here .

Louisiana Direct Seafood

Louisiana Direct Seafood  is a   web-based resource to help coastal fishermen connect directly with consumers and build community support for a fresh, local, product ‘straight from the boat’. The site is a partnership effort between  Louisiana Sea Grant  and LSU Ag Center. In addition to connecting fishermen and consumers, this initiative is also focused on quality business practices, working with fishermen to deliver a superior, sustainable product that meets rigorous standards and preserves fisheries for generations to come.

North Carolina Oyster Trail

North Carolina Sea Grant 's  North Carolina Oyster Trail  offers unique tourism experiences centered on the state’s tasty oysters. It features shellfish farm tours, seafood markets and restaurants, and education and arts organizations, in addition to oyster-focused festivals and events.

Oyster Trail of Maine

Maine Sea Grant  assisted in creating the  Oyster Trail of Maine , a map of oyster farms and restaurants that highlights places to learn about and taste a variety of Maine oysters.

Seafood At Your Fingertips

Florida Sea Grant  helps consumers choose the best seafood. Market choices are more plentiful than ever, but so are questions. What’s imported and what’s local? Is my choice nutritious and safe to eat? How do I fix the fish I purchased at the grocery? The app is  available  for iPhone and Android.

Whale Alert

California Sea Grant  State Fellows based at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary worked with partners to develop a whale sighting app to reduce ship strikes. Launched in 2013 and called Spotter, the app was merged with  Whale Alert . Follow the project  blog .

Louisiana Sea Grant  and partners developed  WAVE  to assist boaters with charts, emergency preparedness, current conditions and more. The purpose of the app is to improve emergency preparedness for commercial fishermen and other users of the waterway.

Wisconsin Fish ID

Wisconsin Sea Grant  developed a fish identification tool for species found in Wisconsin waters. Serach by name or appearance. Content includes images and descriptions. The  mobile app  available for both iPhone and Android.

Shoreline Rhode Island

Shoreline Rhode Island  provides over 300 public access points on the coast and bays of Rhode Island. The site allows users to search by activity and location.  Rhode Island Sea Grant  developed Shoreline Rhode Island as an update to a 2004 publication, Public Access to the Rhode Island Coast, which was published by Rhode Island Sea Grant and the URI Coastal Resources Center.

Rip Current Watch

Wisconsin Sea Grant  and partners maintain the  Rip Current Watch  site to provide real-time data and forecasts for rip currents at Port Washington, Wisconsin. The information is also available via a mobile app for Android devices.

Video Guides

Sea grant video guides playlist, sea talk - beach injuries, boat safety: survival kit, 15 second science - the power of waves, increasing safety at sea caves, boat safety: emergency beacons and flares, 15 second science - small item, big issue for our coasts, avoid the trap: what anglers should know about commercial fishing nets, sea talk - catch and release fishing, what is barotrauma, sea talk - proper fishing bait disposal, buying tuna directly from a commercial fisherman, retiree in training: new york sea grant’s dave white (october 2022), nature attracts tourism (part 1), oregon's working waterfront tour trailer - oregon seagrant.

The Blue Economy: Challenges and Solutions in Sustainable Coastal Tourism Development

• Staff Writer
• April 2, 2019

In terms of magnitude, tourism is one of the largest sectors in the world. Overall, tourism and travel account for nearly 10 percent of global GDP. Likewise, annual revenues have been estimated at $7.6 trillion. While these figures are astounding, it is also noteworthy that 80 percent of tourism occurs along coastal towns and areas. Beaches, coral reefs and an array of aquatic activities attract millions each year. Thus, the bottom line is that coastal tourism plays a significant role in the future of the Blue Economy .

Nearly 300 million jobs rely on coastal tourism. In addition, coastal tourism is vital to the survival of small developing island nations around the globe.

But as tourism advances, the risks that coastal tourism impose are sizable. With these concerns increasing, many are strongly advocating for more sustainable tourism development.

Coastal Tourism and the Challenges Ahead in the Blue Economy

With such volumes of travel and coastal tourism, a number of problems face island communities. Some of these problems have been self-inflicted while others have been spin-offs. But either way, all point to the need for sustainable tourism development in these regions. Shoreline developments to date have already cleared precious coral reefs and mangroves to expand sandy beach areas. Likewise, piers and other coastal tourism structures have also negatively impacted these environments. And on-shore developments involving other structures have affected native habitats. Those involving the current dismal state of sea turtles are a notable example of poor sustainable tourism development.

Others are not as apparent when it comes to the negative impacts of coastal tourism. For example, wastewater produced by hotels and resorts poses additional challenges. Plastic bottles and other trash are also concerns resulting from increasing coastal tourism numbers. Other issues in coastal tourism also threaten to worsen climate change. Cruise ship pollution, as well as emissions from recreational water activities, are examples of these problems. Unless these issues are addressed through sustainable tourism development, a variety of negative impacts will sporadically emerge. These will likely include repercussions to the environment, marine life, as well as the economic well-being of many coastal areas.

Proactive “Blue” Approaches to Sustainable Tourism Development

While a number of blue initiatives and forums are proposing action, some island nations are being proactive. Because of their economic reliance on coastal tourism, it only makes sense to promote sustainable tourism development. For example, the Republic of Palau require all tourists to sign the Palau Pledge before arriving in the islands. This move raises awareness of the potential harms coastal tourism brings, as well as the best practices that can be observed by tourist during their visit to islands.

While Palau has taken this approach, the islands of Seychelles have embraced a more comprehensive plan for sustainable tourism development. The objective is to balance economic development with both cultural and environmental conservation and protection. In essence, Seychelles’ plan for sustainable tourism development involves five major areas.

• Sustainable Marine Spatial Planning – This area addresses new developments involving coastal tourism structures through formal sustainable tourism development planning.
• Innovative “Blue” Bonds – This part is offered as a means to finance management, rehabilitation and restoration efforts of marine and coastal areas.
• Scheduled Periodic Audits – This area is set up to establish monitoring activities and evaluation reports on a consistent and regular basis to guide sustainability efforts.
• Sustainable Tourism Development Certifications – With this area, resorts and other coastal tourism businesses would be listed as compliant with sustainability requirements.
• Debt-For-Nature Conservation – This part covers large loans acquired currently to invest in sustainable tourism development and other sustainability activities.

A Good Start with Much More Required

The efforts made by Seychelles and Palau are important steps in the right direction for sustainable tourism development.   At a global scale, one out of every 11 jobs is in the tourism industry.

Therefore, coastal tourism represents a significant economic area for many nations. However, undermining the climate, the environment and marine life in the process will quickly deplete these resources. Similarly, it will place many developing countries in economic distress as coastal tourism quality fades. For these reasons, a global effort is needed to promote genuinely sustainable tourism development.

For more on Bold Business’ series on the Blue Economy, check out these stories on  Deep Seabed Mining ,  Water Desalination and Aquaculture Systems , and Aquaculture Sustainability in Meeting Global Demand for Food .

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Coastal Tourism

• Pre-covid-19

10% of all international visitors that arrive in UK go to coast

The Coast comprises a very high rate of SMEs (with less than 3% corporate brands represented)

Coastal Tourism in England is highly seasonal, but change was happening as a result of investment in research, product development and marketing:

Key challenges facing coastal communities:

Seasonality

• Productivity
• Perceptions (consumers, media and government)

Climate Change – coastal storms / flooding Business ownership and investment

• Large number of micro and small businesses – difficult to coordinate and deliver change
• Prior to covid, 28% of businesses said they were “planning to sell / retire in next 5 years”

High dependency on Tourism average 15-20% of employment - but 50%+ in places like St. Ives, Exmoor, Whitby and Newquay

Socio-economic pressures on Coastal Communities Skills Brexit

But there are opportunities:

Addressing seasonality and attracting off peak growth markets

• International visitors
• Domestic visitors - Wellness, Slow tourism, Business Events, Under 35s, Empty nesters (over 55s) and Active Experiences

Wider sector or coastal opportunities…

• England Coast Path

Impact of Covid-19

Pre-COVID spend £13.7bn in England

2020 England – coastal impact of COVID-19

Based on July re-opening, loss of international travel and reduced capacity due to social distancing, November lockdown

Verified with National Business Survey data on capacity and revenue

• 95m trips and day visits
• £7.64bn loss in tourism spend
• Equivalent of circa 131,000 jobs

2021 England – coastal impact of COVID-19

Based on closure Jan-Mar, partial April reopening, very limited international travel, reduced capacity and busy summer

• 44m trips and day visits (-23% on pre-Covid-19)
• £5.15bn loss in tourism spend
• -37% on pre-Covid spend / 41% increase on 2020

Hotel Solutions forecast 20-25% of accommodation in coastal communities will close

Institute of Fiscal Studies - there “is no longer a north-south, or urban-rural divide… coastal areas are notably vulnerable to both the health and economic impacts of the crisis” – especially Isle of Wight, Torquay, Blackpool, Dorset and Northumberland

Other reports highlighting impact on coast

Centre for Towns, The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on our Towns and Cities report 2020 Institute for Employment Studies, Labour Market Statistics June 2020: IES Analysis Social Markets Foundation Report HOPE not hate Charitable Trust, Understanding Community Resilience in Our Towns report 2020 Social Investment Business Group: Covid-19 Coastal Communities The Place Bureau Report

Domestic tourism on the Coast

South west is the most popular region for seaside visits:

Visitor Profile demographics:

Source:GBTS 2019

Socio-economic group

International visitors to the coast

10% visit the English coast at some point during their stay in UK

88% are on break of 4+nights (non coastal visitors = 55% on 4+ night break)

210,000 jobs worth £3.6bn (Sheffield Hallam University 2014) + 1% growth

Higher than average concentration of SMEs in coastal visitor economy

<3% corporate brands on the coast (National Coastal Tourism Academy 2015)

31% of residents work part-time → Net outflow of commuters (ONS 2014)

Contact details

+44(0)1202 093 429 [email protected]

European Economic and Social Committee

•   LinkedIn
•   Instagram
•   Twitter
•   Facebook
•   Mastodon

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Select site language, growth and jobs in coastal and maritime tourism.

This page is also available in:

Other relevant EESC opinions:

• Opinion on A new political framework for tourism in Europe (INT/529)
• Opinion on Sustainable and competitive European tourism (INT/396)
• Opinion on "Blue Growth" - opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth (TEN/499)
• Opinion on Outermost regions - smart growth (ECO/335)
• Opinion on Cohesion and growth for islands (ECO/213)
• Related links

Related bodies

• Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT) Consumers and Environment Category (CEC)

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Home » Home » PETER CRANIS: Economic Impact of Tourism on Brevard in 2023 Was $4.6 Billion, Visitor Spending $2.95 Billion

PETER CRANIS: Economic Impact of Tourism on Brevard in 2023 Was $4.6 Billion, Visitor Spending $2.95 Billion

By Peter Cranis, Space Coast Office of Tourism Executive Director  //  April 27, 2024

industry supports 46,000 direct and indirect jobs with wages of nearly $1.5 billion

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – We recently completed a Visitor and Economic Impact Study with 2,500 visitors being interviewed. This is the most comprehensive study we have done since COVID and it revealed some very interesting data.

First of all, the overall economic impact of tourism on the County was calculated at $4.6 billion with visitor spending at $2.95 billion. Overnight visitors accounted for nearly 3 million room nights in 2023 including hotel/motel and vacation rental.

The report also shows the industry supports nearly 46,000 direct and indirect jobs with wages of nearly $1.5 billion.

In terms of trip planning 63% of visitors saw something from the Space Coast Office of Tourism prior to coming – whether it was our website, social media, or other advertising/promotions we have done.

In terms of origin of visitors, 37% come from within Florida, 17% from the Southeast, 12% from the Northeast, 17% from the Midwest, 12% from the West, and 5% are from international markets, mostly Canada, UK and Germany. The split between flying here or driving is 54%/46%.

Visitors stay here 4.5 nights on average and are in travel parties of 3.1 people, 47% having children in their party. On average, each travel party spends $2,762 which is $197 per person per day, or $891 per trip.

In terms of accommodations, 36% stay in hotel motel, 28% with friends and family, and 26% in vacation rental. They stay in Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral (33%), Melbourne (14%), Titusville (12%), Melbourne Beach/South Beaches (10%), and Palm Bay (9%).

While here they engage in beach activities (68%), go shopping (61%) and sightseeing (48%), watch a rocket launch (41%), do some kind of outdoor activity (40%), go to Kennedy Space Center (29%), take an overnight cruise (25%), or participate in watersports (22%). Other things they do include going to a museum, the zoo, fishing, golf, play in a sporting event, or a business activity.

They enjoy being here and 93% said they would return here, 79% said within the next 12 months. Of those that took an overnight cruise, 91% stayed here overnight either before or after the cruise and 27% said they stayed both before and after. There are a lot more data points we collected, but these are the highlights. We will share more in future stories.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

– Peter Cranis, Space Coast Office of Tourism Executive Director

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