This study explores the potential of windsurfing tourism in Croatia as a strategy to address extreme seasonal tourism imbalances in this coastal Mediterranean destination. Croatia's favorable wind and coastal conditions make it an appealing, though underutilized, site for water sports like windsurfing. Through a survey of actual windsurfers in the Canary Islands (Spain) and an analysis of their perceptions, the study examines expectations and perceived attributes of Croatia as a windsurfing destination. Findings reveal that Croatia is perceived positively for its natural conditions, such as wind quality and safety, but less favorably regarding its surfing infrastructure and cultural ambiance. Significant differences in perceptions were found between visitors and non-visitors, as well as across different skill levels, with intermediate windsurfers expressing the most favorable views. Comparisons with destinations like Sardinia (Italy) and Portugal underscore the need for Croatia to enhance its accessibility, infrastructure, and branding to compete effectively as a windsurfing destination. The study contributes to the growing literature on niche tourism, highlighting windsurfing's potential for mitigating seasonality in mature coastal destinations.
Nina et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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