Sport and Tourism: a Potentially Conflictual Relationship

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Vol. 8 Nº2 págs. 265-276. 2010

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Sport and Tourism: a potentially conflictual relationship. The case of Marinas in Tenerife

González Ramallal, Manuel Eduardoii Universidad de La Laguna (España)

Marrero Rodríguez, Josefa Rosaiii Universidad de La Laguna (España)

Santana Turégano, Manuel Ángeliv Universidad de La Laguna (España)

Abstract: This paper points out the conflicts that can arise in the field of Sports and Tourism through a case study of two marinas on the island of Tenerife (Spain). Following a qualitative approach, the discourses of the participants of seven different water sports were analysed. In spite of the traditional optimistic approach towards the relationship between sport and tourism, research results showed that conflicts can arise if this is not carefully managed. Conflicts were found at three levels. First, at a sport practice level, where conflict can arise between the different sports held in and around marinas. Second, at a socio-economic level, conflicts can arise between the different social groups that use marinas. Third, at a tourism level, conflict can arise between tourism development and the use of marinas as a sporting venue. The paper concludes by emphasizing key issues to bear in mind when managing the relationship between tourism and sport, such as the brand image of both sports on the hand and tourism destinations on the other hand, and the social groups that usually play each sport and visit each destination. Key words: Conflict; Tourism; Sport Sociology; Water Sports; Social Stratification; Social Desirability.

Resumen: El artículo se centra en los conflictos que pueden surgir en el ámbito del deporte y el turismo partiendo del estudio de un caso centrado en dos puertos deportivos de la isla de Tenerife (España). A través de una aproximación cualitativa, se analizó el discurso de los participantes en siete actividades deportivas marinas diferentes. Frente a la tradicional visión optimista en torno a la relación entre deporte y turismo, los resultados de la investigación muestran que pueden surgir conflictos si ésta no se gestiona adecuadamente. Los conflictos pueden darse a tres niveles. En primer lugar, a nivel de práctica deporti- va, donde los problemas pueden surgir entre las diferentes actividades deportivas que se dan en torno a los puertos deportivos. En segundo lugar, entre los diferentes grupos sociales que usan los puertos deportivos. En tercer lugar, a nivel turístico, los conflictos pueden surgir entre el modelo de desarrollo turístico y el uso que se le da a las marinas como espacios deportivos. El artículo concluye enfatizando las cues- tiones clave a considerar para gestionar adecuadamente la relación deporte y turismo, tales como las de la imagen de marca asociada tanto a los deportes como a los destinos turísticos, así como los grupos sociales que habitualmente practican un deporte o visitan un destino.

Palabras clave: Conflicto; Turismo; Sociología del Deporte; Estratificación Social; Deseabilidad Social.

ii Doctor en Sociología y profesor del Departamento de Sociología de la Universidad de La Laguna. E-mail: mra- [email protected] iii Doctora en Sociología y profesora del Departamento de Sociología de la Universidad de La Laguna. E-mail: jrma- [email protected] iv Doctor en Sociología y profesor del Departamento de Sociología de la Universidad de La Laguna. E-mail: masan- [email protected]

Introduction a good example (Martín-Rojo & Peláez- Verdet, 2003; Melián-González & García- Sport tourism development is a strategy Falcón, 2003; Morales-Nin et al, 2005). carried out more and more by tourism des- Among policy makers, academics and me- tinations, especially by large consolidated dia marinas are usually associated with an ones. The aims of such a strategy are mani- image of glamour and prestige, celebrities fold: product differentiation, enhancement and economic elites. Therefore, they are of competitive advantages and, ultimately, expected to contribute to upgrading desti- the promotion of socio- economic develop- nations. Underlying this idea is the as- ment (Griffin & Hayllar, 2007; Higham & sumption that the relationship between Hinch, 2002), even in avowedly communist sports and tourism, and between marinas societies (Sugden, 2007). Within this con- and tourism, can only be positive. However, text, water sports play a crucial role, since this may not always be the case, and con- the sea is a key resource in the traditional flicts may arise if development is not care- sea, sun and sand destination and can be fully managed. This paper highlights three used as a powerful sporting venue. New levels of the relationship between marinas trends in tourism towards an active concep- and tourism at which conflict may arise. tion of the activity (Perkins & Thorns, First of all, conflict may arise among the 2001) reinforce the role of sports in tour- different participants of the numerous ism, leading to the practice of sports tour- sports developed around the marinas. Sec- ism and tourism sports (Gibson, 2004; ondly, conflict may arise among the multi- Gammon & Robinson, 2003). farious social groups that use these activi- Actually, new trends in tourism have led ties as a means of expression. Finally, con- to a position in which, depending upon the flicts are related to the impacts of the activ- concept use, almost every mass sea and sun ity and to the attitudes of locals towards tourist can be considered as a sport tourist. tourism. The results of the research show (Gammon & Robinson, 2003). A great pro- that only a realistic approach to the possi- portion of sun and sea tourists get involved ble conflicts can yield an adequate man- in different activities such as walking, ba- agement of the relationship between sports nana trips, casual snorkeling, pedlo or wa- and tourism. terboat renting, etc. Therefore, if a wide conception of sport that includes physical Harmony and conflict in the relationship and recreational activities is used, any between sport and tourism tourist involved in the aforementioned activities could be considered as a “sport tour- Sport has long been considered a key ist”, according to the Gibson (2004: 249) motive for travel and tourism. Not only are classification as a “tourist involved in ac- major sporting events important tourist tivities as opposed to “aficionados”. There is attractions, but also the practice of well- a vast literature about issues regarding the established sport tourism, such as sailing distinction between “sport tourism” and tourism, golf tourism, winter sports tour- “tourism sport”, as much as about sport ism, and cycle tourism play a crucial role in and physical activity. However, our interest a destination's tourist attraction capacity in this paper is to understand water sports (Bramwell, 1997; Daniels, 2007; Kim & as touristic resources and to study the con- Chalip, 2004; O´Brien, 2006). Even certain flicts that arise in the intersection between activities that could be considered as less tourism and sport, rather than considering important, being a mix of sport, physical differences between such concepts. and recreational activity, are a great com- In the context of the broader sport tour- plement to the tourist offer. We are talking ism framework, marinas have become a key about a wide range of activities, with little resource by which traditional destinations or no regulation and though developed can improve their market position. In the mostly in natural environments can also be Spanish case, the Balearic Islands have found in urban areas (Bach, 1993; often been considered as the paradigmatic L’Aoustet & Griffet, 2001). As some authors case, but the Canary Islands are also quite like De Villiers (2003: 94) remark, both

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traditional sport tourism and these new tourism are becoming more and more evi- practices fit very well in a new conception dent (Schneider, 2000; Vaske et al., 2007). of tourism that links it with health and Violence in sporting events is not only well-being. Furthermore, some of these new drawing increased attention, but also sev- emerging activities represent a great op- eral studies have shown the conflicts portunity for the diversification of tourist around sport tourism apply in natural en- destinations (Lee, 2003: 6). vironments. Some authors have studied This relationship between sport, tourism conflicts in surf, ski and snowboarding and recreation has been amply shown by (Dolnicar & Fluker, 2003; Vaske et al. the literature and seems unquestionable. 2000, 2004;); others have analysed conflicts However, the link between sports and tour- between rowing and motor boats (Adelman ism is not always positive. Authors such as et al., 1982), or mountaineering (Léséleuc, Sousa (2004), Williams et al (1984) and 2003). In a broader sense, Vanreusel (1995) Dunning et al (2002) have studied conflicts has shown the cultural, ecological and related to the violence generated by some symbolic conflicts that can arise around groups of sporting event tourists. Others sports tourism, both between different have focused on the emerging ecological sport tourists and between sport tourists conflicts created by the practice of sport and the local population. It is within this tourism in natural environments (Bellan & context that marinas can be considered as a Bellan- Santini, 2001; Domroes, 2001; scenario for possible conflicts. This paper Guyer & Pollard, 1997; Ingold et al, 1993; aims to explore the potential conflicts Stockwell et al, 1991). The development of around marinas, something that seems the so called “active tourism” activities, essential for their adequate management. such as rafting, speleology, canyoning or The analysis of the conflicts in and around mountain biking, that have become a marinas do not stem from an ideological summer option for resorts that base their position. On the contrary, it follows the economies on winter sports has certainly theoretical framework proposed by Collins implied a widening of the ecological im- (1975) and Collins & Rossel (2002), that pacts of tourism. Even so, the inherent considers conflict as a process which is conflicts in the sports- tourism relationship characteristic of social life, a result of eve- are all too often incorrectly considered. Two ryday life interactions. reasons can be given to explain this. First of all, taking an overall approach, the bene- Study Methods fits of the relationship are probably more important than the costs. Secondly, most This paper approaches the study of con- studies in the field of Sports and Tourism flicts around sporting marinas through a start from a functionalist approach, and case study on the island of Tenerife, Ca- this approach usually leads to an emphasis nary Islands. The Canary Islands are a on the positive points and minimizes the mature destination, offering mainly sea, negatives. As Rojek points out (quoted in sun and sand tourism. Most tourists come Henderson et al, 2004), leisure theory since from the UK, Germany, mainland Spain, World War II developed a functionalist the Benelux and the Scandinavian coun- approach, and leisure activities were con- tries with smaller numbers coming from sidered from an individualistic point of the rest of Europe. Most of them are repeat view, ignoring the context in which they visitors, and in 2004, almost 40% of all were held. Besides that, a functionalist visitors had previously visited the islands approach inherently highlights the positive (ISTAC / Canary Islands Statistics Insti- sides of every social phenomenon. There- tute, 2005), and had come through a pack- fore, the relationship between sport and age tour bought from the main European tourism has followed a similar path, em- tour operators. In 2006, the islands re- phasizing, since the very first studies the ceived over 9.5 million international tour- multiple benefits that it brings (Zahuar, ists and 2.3 millions domestic tourists (Go- 2004). bierno de Canarias / Goverment of the Ca- Nevertheless, the negative aspects of the nary Islands, 2007). Four out of the seven relationship between sports, recreation and islands (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran

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Canaria and Tenerife) receive large num- situation analyzed here, and therefore, an bers of tourists, while the tourist develop- approach based on methodological plural- ment of the remaining three islands (La ism (Ragin, 1994) was adopted. The aim of Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro) is much the research was to collect, through per- more limited. sonal interviews, the discourses of sports- Tourism in the Canary Islands started men and women developing activities in in the 1960s and in the following thirty and around marinas in Tenerife. Sports years they became a very important tourist practice starts from the way social actors destination for British, German and Span- comprehend and give meaning to reality. In ish markets. The Canary Islands are one of the case of sports in and around marinas, the main tourist destinations in Spain, the starting point is a sports infrastructure representing between 20-25% of tourism that can play a crucial role as a space of revenues and 10- 15% of tourist arrivals, reference for practising water sport that depending upon sources. In 2006 Spain goes far beyond its role as a berth for ves- received a total of 58,451,141 foreign visi- sels. The objective of the research was to tors, according to data provided by IET obtain a deeper understanding of the role (Instituto Español de Turismo, that is to that such infrastructures can play in foster- say, Spanish Tourism Institute and INE - ing different watersports, both among tour- Instituto Nacional de Estadística or Na- ists and local residents. Through interviews tional Statistics Institute-) (2006), and was with water sportsmen and women, manag- among the top three world tourist destina- ers, entrepreneurs and workers related to tions, representing 12,3% of international marinas and watersports activities, the tourist arrivals in Europe for the same pe- research tried to stress their experiences riod. The importance of the Canary Islands and perceptions using a qualitative ap- for the European Tourism market can be proach. This approach tried to avoid the highlighted by a single comparison: in incorrect consideration of issues such as 2004, this small archipelago of just over motivations, emotions, feelings and percep- 7.000 km2 received half the number of in- tions about watersports that usually re- ternational tourists of such an important sults when purely quantitative approaches tourist area as the Caribbean. are applied. Rather than statistical signifi- Among the islands, Tenerife, the island cance, the study looked for social signifi- where the fieldwork was carried out, re- cance or relevance. Following Gibson (2004) ceived the highest number of tourists (3.2 and Weed (2006), the researchers wanted million for the same period). Tourism on to determine the explicit and implicit rea- the island is centred around two main re- sons given by stakeholders for the conflicts sorts, Puerto de La Cruz and Los Cris- developed around the marinas. tianos- Playa de Las Américas. Puerto de The use of the qualitative approach in la Cruz, located centrally on the northern the Sociology of Sport emphasizes the role coast of the island is the oldest resort. of individuals (Patton, 2002; Gratton & Nowadays, it receives almost 30% of the Jones, 2003). In order to collect every dis- tourist activity in Tenerife. In the south- course that could be relevent for the pur- west of the island, resorts around Los Cris- poses of the research, various factors, such tianos- Playa de Las Américas represent as socio-demographic factors and the type the bulk of the tourism in Tenerife (around of sport were considered. The conditio sine 70%). Eighty km north-east of Las Ameri- qua no for every interviewee was to partici- cas and 35 kms east of Puerto de la Cruz pate in at least one of the watersports con- are the cities of La Laguna and Santa Cruz sidered. Five groups of different sporting de Tenerife, the major centres of economic activities were considered for the study: 1) cultural and political activity, which con- Scuba diving 2) Motor boat 3) Sailing 4) tain almost half of the population of the Surfing and 5) Expressive activities, such island. as water games, and use of pedlos and ba- Giscard d’Estaing (2001: 96) pointed out nana boats. that research into the Sport Tourism field Another factor that can influence the faces the problem of a lack of good statis- motivation for taking part in watersport in tics. This has also been the case for the marinas is whether the marina is embed-

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ded in a larger harbour or is isolated. domain. Therefore, to truly understand the Therefore, different marinas were selected dynamics in and around them, the three for the study. For the case of marinas em- dimensions, tourism, sport and economics bedded in a larger harbour, Marina Tene- should be considered. We will now proceed rife, Puerto Chico and Marina del Atlán- to analyse each dimension separately and tico, all of them embedded in the harbour of the potential conflicts that can occur within Santa Cruz de Tenerife, capital of the is- each of them. However, the three dimen- land, were selected for the interviews. For sions are so closely related that they can the case of marinas isolated from bigger only be separated for analytical purposes. maritime infrastructures, the case selected was Puerto Colón, in the municipality of Sport conflicts in marinas Adeje, in the southern part of Tenerife, which is embedded in the larger touristic Conflicts around the sporting dimension resort (Los Cristianos- Las Américas) of the of marinas have to do with the conflicts islands. Beside its role as a marina, Puerto that arise among the different sports Colon has become in the latter years a very hosted in them. For the sake of simplicity, important base for whale watching cruises they can be classified into two categories: (Hernández, 2005). Finally, a third factor conflicts in the marinas and conflicts considered in the sampling was that tour- around the marinas. Since water sports ists and locals could have a different per- differ in their relationship with the sea, ception of the marinas. Therefore, a three conflicts around the marinas are related to criteria were used for selecting the sample: the key issue of whether to develop mari- 1) two types of marinas, 2) two types of nas or not. There is a division between possible relationship with the island and 3) those sports which just use the sea as a six different sports. For each group of sport- sport venue and need no marinas (such as ing activities, interviewees were selected surfing) and those sports that use the ma- depending on whether they were locals or rina as their sport venue and need it as a residents and whether they were based in “conditio sine qua non” in order to develop an isolated marina or in a marina embed- their activity (such as sailing). The first ded in a larger infrastructure. The total group is usually opposed to the developing number of interviews was 18, fifteen of of marinas for several reasons. They tend them with sportsmen and women, an inter- to see the building of marinas as a trans- view with the manager of a marina, an formation of the landscape that alters its interview with the person in charge of a natural beauty and heritage and hinders sports federation and another with a sales their possibilities to practise sports. This is representative of water activities for tour- especially the case for surfers, since marina ists. building usually involves changes in the Interviews non-directed, so that the in- natural waves. On the other hand, the terviewee could express what he or she group of sports that need at least a berth in deemed relevant for the purposes of the a marina to develop their activity, such as research. Interviews were recorded digi- sailing or motor boats, would support fur- tally and then transcripted. The diversity ther developments in marina construction, of discourses collected allowed us not only since that would definitely enhance the to study in depth the conflicts but also the possibility to practise their sports. Besides differences and similarities between locals this basic divide between those sports that and tourists and between the different would benefit from marina development sports considered. It also provided evidence and those that would suffer from it, there of the different potential for sport fostering are conflicts and competition for the use of and as a tourist attraction of both isolated the space among those sports that use the and embedded marinas. marinas as a sporting venue. Another problem for practising water Marinas: an open reality sports, according to the interviewees is the price, which is beyond the reach of many Sport marinas are sport infrastructures social groups. Apart from the simple fact whose impacts go well beyond the sporting that prices are high, many interviewees

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point out that services provided by marinas out that the development of “postfordist in Tenerife are scarce. Another major tourism” involves the appearance and de- source of conflict seems to be, when mari- velopment of dynamics of social differentia- nas are embedded in larger harbours, the tion. In fordist tourism, tourism had be- excess of control by coastguards and mari- come a means of social integration, provid- time police. Such a strict control often hin- ing each individual with a sense of belong- ders the development of water sports, and ing to a community. Holidays were a social since fines are quite common, this is an conquest, and everybody had holidays at a extra financial burden. All of this shows a similar period (summer) and enjoyed them conflict between individual behaviour and going to similar places and engaging in social norms and institutions that try to similar activities. On the contrary, since regulate them. Sports practices are under the mid 1980s, tourism became more and the same tensions as contemporary leisure, more a means of social differentiation, where individuals search for a recreational where individuals try to drift apart from area which is often increasingly regulated the rest of the society by means of their (Elias, 1989, 1992). Many interviewees capacity to pay for different holidays and point out that in Tenerife, given the impor- their ability to enjoy them. In this context, tance of the tourism industry in the island, water sports and water sports tourism have marinas are becoming more a touristic been long associated with elites, prestige space than a sport venue. The use of mari- and social differentiation. And according to nas for whale watching excursions and the interviewees, they still continue to be, other tourism oriented activities limit their even though many emphasize that at least possibilities for water sports. partial democratization has occurred. Elit- ism in water sports have to do with the Socio-economic conflicts in marinas financial cost of the activities, and with the attitudes of the participants, who usually Socio-economic conflicts in and around consider themselves as an elite and look marinas have to do with the fact that they with disdain upon novices and aficionados. are not only a sport venue but also a space Most interviewees agree that a strong ef- for sociability and for economic activity. fort has been made to facilitate the practice This research points out three main con- of water sports through credit sales. All flicts: first of all, it seems to be an inherent this considered, an inherent conflicts re- conflict in the democratization of an activ- mains: if the democratization of marinas is ity which, for many, is socially meaningful successful, those who approach water only for as long as it elitist and scarce. Sec- sports seeking exclusivity will have to mi- ondly, there is a conflict between motor grate to other practices. water sports and sailing, which reflects a The conflict between the growth of wa- conflict between social groups. Finally, ter sports and their capacity to differenti- there is a conflict between those who use ate those who get engaged in them is also the marinas as a sport venue and those connected to the formerly mentioned as- who use them as a means to show their sumption that marinas can contribute to wealth and socio-economic position. the upgrading of tourist destinations. If the Which are the social groups that use the strategy to develop marinas is successful, marinas? This question should be answered more and more tourists will engage in wa- bearing in mind the different sports that ter sports in more and more tourist desti- are developed in and around marinas, but nations. If more and more tourists engage some generalizations can be made. Accord- in water sports everywhere, it will no ing to the interviewees, most sailors, surf- longer be a sign of distinction, and will not ers, sport fishermen, etc. are upper-middle be effective in upgrading a destination. In class males, and what seems most interest- that case, the marinas would become use- ing, women that engaged in these activities less for the purpose for which they were usually begin following their husbands, originally built. fiancees or boyfriends. Why is the use of The second conflict arises between the marinas mostly confined to certain social different types of clientele to which a ma- groups? Authors like Savelli (1990) point rina can cater. Most interviewees make a

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clear distinction between motorised water such as the Balearic Islands, mainland sports and non-motorised water sports. The Spain and other parts of Europe. Inter- conflict between sailing and motor water viewees do not agree about how to consider sports stands out not only as a conflict be- this phenomenon. For some, it is a real tween different activities, but also as a cancer of the sector, since the “smugger conflict between two different conceptions mooring owners” invest very little in water of the relationship with the sea, as was sports For others, since assuring the conti- revealed from the interviews. The opposi- nuity in paying the rent is a key issue for tion between sailing and motor water sport marinas, their money is as good for this reflects an opposition between a bohemian purpose as any other. However, there concept of navigation, seen as an end in seems to be an inherent conflict here: given itself (some yachters, as they call them- a certain number of moorings, the higher selves, turn sailing into a way of living) and the number of “smugger owners” is, the an instrumental concept of it that sees it as lower the possibilities for sport practice, a way of showing a way of living. It is quite and vice versa. interesting to point out that some of the sailors interviewed contrast “life on board” Tourism conflicts in Marinas and “life off board”, implicitly considering Conflicts around the tourist dimension the latter less authentic. Using Bourdieu’s of marinas have to do with the limitation words (1994), this comparison between sail- that the Canary Islands’ tourist model im- motor can be seen as a comparison between poses on water sports. Tourism monopo- new and old middle classes. Sailing is a lizes marinas and hinders the development sport considered to be more classy, charac- of sport activities, since both tourism and teristic of those who have not only money water sports are activities that compete for but “old money”, and thereby a certain kind the same space, the coastal areas. The bulk of socialization. On the contrary, motor of tourism activities in Tenerife take place water sports are seen as characteristic of along the coastline, and this fact hinders new rich and are given less social consid- the possibilities to use the coast as a sport- eration and prestige on the basis of the ing venue. In the case of the marinas in the interviews. Since old money tends to de- tourist area, it was found that a number of spise new rich, and vice versa, the promot- the moorings were being used as a base for ers of a marina need to consider which pub- whale watching vessels, and therefore not lic to cater for. For it seems that attracting used for sport purposes. Since whale watch- one group will implicitly drive the other ing is a very successful enterprise for tour- away. ism in Tenerife, and there is stiff competi- Finally, the third socio- economic con- tion for space in a marina, and sport activi- flict arises between those who use marinas ties are not likely to win this competetion. as sporting venues and those who use In the case of other sports, the competition them as the means to show their social is for the configuration of the space: surfers condition and prestige is the most salient interviewed were very critical of tourism among those found in the research. Result- development in Tenerife. Tourism on the ing from the interviews, a significant num- island has widely transformed the sea ber of mooring owners or renters emerged shore, creating new beaches and changing as not really keen on water sports, since the previously existing ones. Since the av- they seldom practice water activities. How- erage tourist prefers quiet beaches, in most ever, this does not mean they will soon cases this transformation has led to worse leave a marina and give space for more wave conditions, and therefore surfers be- aficionados. They own a mooring basicaly lieve that tourism development in Tenerife for the sake of social prestige. And for has mostly hindered their sport's possibili- them, it is owning a mooring or being a ties. This is not to say that water sports member of a yacht club that confers social and tourism have necessarily to be antago- prestige, and not actually practising water nistic, not even for such particular cases as sports. According to the interviewees, it is a surfing, specially sensitive with the envi- phenomenon that not only occurs in the ronment (Wheaton, 2007). Interviewees Canary Islands but also in other places, related stories of successful surf and tour-

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ism experiences, such as in the Mentawai who are considered to have a low level of Islands (Indonesia), but this shows that, in expenditure, cultural interest in the islands spite of the traditional optimistic approach, and whose travelling motivations are based conflicts between tourism and water sports on drinking alcohol and sun-bathing. These can easily arise if the relationship is not tourists are ideologically opposed to a group carefully managed. of tourist, labelled as “quality tourism”, Another source of conflict in the rela- identified with elite (high-spending power) tionship between marinas and tourism are tourism. Since water sports and marina the so called “expressive activities”, that is tourism is identified with this elite tourism, to say, activities, such as banana trips, resident’s perceptions towards this type of pedlos, casual snorkeling, etc., that are tourism is more positive than towards gen- designed as an entertainment for tourists. eral tourism. Actually, perception is so In the Canary Islands, where sea and sand positive that in a general context of a tour- tourism is so important, recreation plays a ism moratorium, a law passed by the Gov- crucial role in the motivations and activi- ernment of the Canary Islands in 2003 that ties of social actors, and thus other sport banned building new infrastructure for and social spaces are influenced by a rec- tourism, hotels and resorts linked to the reational perspective. For most vacationers, development of marinas are still allowed. practising sport activities is considered to That is because, as mentioned before, ma- be more a game than a sport. However, rinas are expected to upgrade tourism. sport, as an institutionalized social activity, Therefore, marinas influence the discourses imposes norms that turn what initially was of residents towards tourism development. just a game into a proper sport. Interview- However, it has to be mentioned that dis- ees complained that only in one of the three courses vary among different sports groups. marinas analysed, Marina Santa Cruz, the As stated, surfers tend to have a negative sports logic predominates. In the case of perception of marina development, and this Puerto de Colon, the marina which is iso- is also reflected in their discourse towards lated from other harbours but embedded in tourism development. the larger touristic resort of the island, the management and activities are focused on Conclusions recreation rather than watersports (whale watching, banana trips etc.). In the case of The need to move towards more com- Marina Tenerife, the overwhelming major- prehensive research in the field of Sport ity of the users of the marina are locals and Tourism has already been pointed out whose goals when coming to the marina by authors, such as Gibson (2004: 247-248). have more to do with recreation and the Following this approach, an attempt to search for social prestige rather than actu- show the conflicts that can arise around the ally with watersports. relationship between sport and tourism in Finally, a third source of conflict in the marinas has been made. We will now pro- relationship between marinas and tourism ceed to discuss the implications both for has to do with the perceptions and atti- theory construction and for management. tudes of locals towards tourism. Among With regard to the sport dimension of interviewees a social discourse of criticism marinas, the most salient conflict has been towards tourism was found, which is found to be that between those sports that deemed to be relevant to certain groups in benefit from the existence of a marina and the Canary Islands’s society (enviromental- those which are hindered by it. Some ists, some political groups, farmers etc.). sports, such as scuba diving or surfing, are The rejection of tourism as the basis of the less likely to use the space and resources of Island’s socio- economic model has to do marinas. However, interviewees generally with different factors. First of all, tourism agreed that given certain circumstances is blamed for attracting too many people to these sports could also benefit from the the Canary Islands and therefore creating existence of marinas. For scuba diving, demographic, environmental and social marinas could become highly suitable bases problems. However, these problems are from which to gain access to the sea if they usually asociated with the type of tourists, were used as bases for scuba diving cruises.

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The same could happen with surfing: mari- development of marinas on this island, it nas could be a base for surf cruises that should first be considered how to combine allowed surfers to gain access to places that the targets of both surfing and windsurfing are dangerous or difficult to reach by road. tourism and marinas as developing one According to the information gathered type of tourism could discourage others. through the interviews, it would also be With respect to the last of the dimen- positive for the sector if local authorities sions considered, the conflicts in the touris- got more involved in water sport promotion, tic dimension of marinas, it is clear that especially among the youth. This could help they are connected with the prospects that solve the lack of female participants in stakeholders maintain about the develop- these sports. And finally, as for the prob- ment of sport tourism. Garham (1996) and lems created by the excess of control by Faulkner et al (1998) have pointed out that coastguards, a deeper respect and mutual many sport tourists, both event and active knowledge would be desirable. The delimi- sport tourists behave as “sport junkies”. tation and demarcation of permitted activi- Therefore, they limit the time and money ties in and around marinas and harbours they spend on tourism activities. So, in would also help. spite of promoters thinking of sport tourists Regarding the second domain consid- as “high-spending power tourists”, they do ered, the socio-economic dimension of ma- not actually spend so much. According to rinas, the first conflict identified had to do the information gathered through the in- with the inherent conflict in the growth of terviews, this can be the case for many surf an activity whose aim is to help to differen- tourists in Tenerife. tiate tourist destinations. In this respect, it Besides that, the conflicts in the tourist seems essential that accurate planning dimension of marinas are mainly related to should be undertaken, considering both the the fact that tourism and water sports are goals desired from the development strat- two activities that in most sea and sun des- egy and the demand elasticity of outbound tinations compete for the same space, the markets. In order to plan the development sea shore. An archetypal example of this of water sports around marinas at a desti- would be the fact that whale watching nation level, it seems crucial to consider ships occupy berths at marinas and there- whether there is an unsatisfied demand for fore limit their possibilities as sport ven- nautical tourism in the relevant outbound ues. Some interviewees pointed out that a markets or whether the tourists should be solution to this would be to concentrate brought from other destinations. In that such activities in commercial harbours and case, a detailed analysis of the competitive leave marinas only for sport-related ves- assets of the destination should be under- sels. taken. Of course, the same applies to other All of these dimensions and conflicts forms of sport tourism, for example, golf need to be considered if developers are to tourism. adequately manage the relationship be- The second conflict identified around the tween sport, tourism and marinas. Finally, socio-economic dimension of marinas had to from a theoretical point of view, research do with the different social groups using results show that an approach that consid- them. Different sports have different social ers conflicts as an inherent part of social class images, ones identified as “high soci- life seems much more useful for under- ety” sports and others as “workers’ sports”. standing sport tourism than traditional Therefore, tourist destinations planning to funtionalistic approaches. develop sport tourism should first analyse their brand image as a tourist destination References and then develop sport tourism activities that fit their image, in order to prevent Adelman, B., Heberlein, T., & Bonnicksen, miscommunication from occuring. For in- T. stance, among all the Canary Islands, 1982 “Social psychological explanations for Fuerteventura is the island whose tourist the persistence of a conflict between image is most associated with surfing and paddling canoeists and motor craft users windsurfing. Therefore, before planning the in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area”.

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Recibido: 20/04/2009 Reenviado: 21/12/2009 Aceptado: 25/01/2010 Sometido a evaluación por pares anónimos

PASOS. Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural, 8(2). 2010 ISSN 1695-7121