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The Influence of Sociodemographic Characteristics and the Experience of Recreational Divers on the Preference for Diving Sites

Author

Listed:
  • Ke Zhang

    (Department of Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Anson T. H. Ma

    (Department of Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Theresa W. L. Lam

    (Department of Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Wei Fang

    (Department of Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Lewis T. O. Cheung

    (Department of Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    Resource Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies and Experiential Learning, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Understanding the preferences of scuba divers is crucial for authorities to establish appropriate management plans and for service providers to offer a wide range of recreation opportunities to promote long-term industrial sustainability. This study categorized diving preferences into two subgroups (physical and biological) to explore the association between diving preferences and divers’ sociodemographic characteristics, as well as diving experiences through multiple regression analysis. Questionnaire surveys were administered, with 398 completed responses successfully collected from diving hotspots in Hong Kong. Results revealed that divers’ sociodemographic status, particularly monthly salary, could affect their physical and biological preferences. Meanwhile, divers’ diving experience was found to be a significant predictor in figuring out their biological preferences. However, no relationship between diving experience and physical preference was identified in this study. These results could inform management authorities in implementing ecological and environmental protection because biological conditions are considered the most attractive motivation for divers to dive in Hong Kong. Similarly, these results may help managers better understand divers’ recreation needs based on different sociodemographic characteristics and diving experiences to create diverse recreation opportunities while enhancing their satisfaction by avoiding the negative impacts associated with identified preference attributes.

Suggested Citation

  • Ke Zhang & Anson T. H. Ma & Theresa W. L. Lam & Wei Fang & Lewis T. O. Cheung, 2022. "The Influence of Sociodemographic Characteristics and the Experience of Recreational Divers on the Preference for Diving Sites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:447-:d:1016754
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Gill, David A. & Schuhmann, Peter W. & Oxenford, Hazel A., 2015. "Recreational diver preferences for reef fish attributes: Economic implications of future change," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 48-57.
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    4. Dimmock, Kay & Musa, Ghazali, 2015. "Scuba Diving Tourism System: A framework for collaborative management and sustainability," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 52-58.
    5. Grafeld, Shanna & Oleson, Kirsten & Barnes, Michele & Peng, Marcus & Chan, Catherine & Weijerman, Mariska, 2016. "Divers' willingness to pay for improved coral reef conditions in Guam: An untapped source of funding for management and conservation?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 202-213.
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