Diagnosis of the visitors profile of Praia da Sepultura in Bombinhas (SC, Brazil), with emphasis on the implementation of an underwater trail

Abstract

Bombinhas’ economic support base is tourism. It is also considered the capital of ecological diving in Santa Catarina. The practice of diving, like other tourism activities without planning and control, can bring several negative impacts to the environment. Praia da Sepultura presents a narrow sand strip, most of its environment is constituted by rocky shores where most of the region's dives happen. To find out how people receive benefits and relate to natural areas helps policy makers, managers, and researchers to understand the behavior of users. Such information helps to understand causes and solutions to impacts, and informs what kind of adjustments need to be made to visitors demands. In this context, the presente study aimed to identify and analyze visitors’ profile at Praia da Sepultura. The goal is to possibly create an underwater trail at Praia da Sepultura. To this end, 90 questionnaires were completed by users who had recently performed the surface dive in this location. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study concluded that surface divers at Praia da Sepultura are predominantly young, highly educated, new to diving, interested in learning about the marine environment and in favour of the underwater trail creation.