Environmental Perceptions of Tourists at Blue Flag-certified Beaches in Acapulco, Mexico

Abstract

There is limited literature on the environmental perception of tourists at Blue Flag-certified beaches in Mexico. The objective of this research was to know the environmental perception of tourists at Icacos I and Icacos II beaches in Acapulco, Mexico, with Blue Flag certification. Quantitative research was carried out; the criteria "environmental education and information" and "environmental management" criteria were examined with a semistructured survey of 57 questions applied to 316 beach users, during the summer of 2019. According to the perception of tourists, an ideal beach should have clean water and sand; however, in the beaches studied, there is solid waste on the beach and in the sea, in addition to noise pollution and sewage, even with certification. It was found that there is not enough signage or environmental activity for users. In terms of management, visitors do not have information about Blue Flag; they do not observe the relevant signage, nor have they previously visited a beach with this emblem. In order to promote Acapulco as a sustainable destination, it is necessary to comply with the regulations and involve the local government, businessmen, service, and tourists; it is also necessary to develop environmental education processes.