Influence of beach attributes on recreationists’ beach preferences: Evidence from Mombasa, Kenya

https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v7i1.2657
Published: Sep 4, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: This study examines how beach attributes influence preferences among resident recreationists in Mombasa County, Kenya, and explores how recreationists' characteristics moderate these preferences.

Methodology/approach: A survey of 77 frequent beachgoers (visiting ?3 times weekly) was conducted at four beaches using enumerator-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics profiled demographics, exploratory factor analysis assessed environmental attitudes, conjoint analysis evaluated beach profile preferences (cleanliness, safety, congestion), and binary logistic regression examined moderating effects of demographics and attitudes.

Results/findings: Clean, litter-free, patrolled, and uncrowded beaches were strongly preferred. Heavy litter and the absence of patrols significantly detracted from appeal, while congestion moderately reduced preferences. Gender significantly moderated the influence of congestion, highlighting differing valuations between male and female recreationists. These findings underscore the need for targeted management strategies to enhance beach experiences.

Conclusion: The study reveals that extreme levels of key beach attributes-cleanliness, patrolling frequency, and congestion-significantly influence recreationists' preferences.

Limitations: The cross-sectional design limits insights into the evolution of preferences over time. Longitudinal studies are recommended to assess how environmental education, management changes, and societal norms influence preferences. Additionally, the context-specific findings suggest a need for comparative studies across diverse regions.

Contribution: This study contributes empirical evidence on resident beach preferences, an often-overlooked segment in tourism research. By applying conjoint analysis, it provides nuanced insights into how varying levels of cleanliness, safety, and congestion shape preferences, offering actionable guidance for beach management and policy.

Keywords:
1. Beach Tourism
2. Conjoint Analysis
3. Recreationists Preferences
Authors:
1 . Jesca Ketura Atsieno
Kenyatta University, Kenya
2 . Edgar Ndubi
Kenyatta University, Kenya
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8170-4648
3 . Kipkosgei Bitok
Kenyatta University, Kenya
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How to Cite
Atsieno, J. K. ., Ndubi, E., & Bitok, K. (2025). Influence of beach attributes on recreationists’ beach preferences: Evidence from Mombasa, Kenya. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 7(1), 47–63. https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v7i1.2657
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Issue & Section
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025): September
Articles
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References

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    Barbosa de Araújo, M. C., & da Costa, M. F. (2008). Environmental Quality Indicators For Recreational Beaches Classification. Journal of Coastal Research, 24(6), 1439-1449. doi:https://doi.org/10.2112/06-0901.1

    Bitok, K. (2019). Sustainable tourism and economic growth nexus in Kenya: policy implications for post-Covid-19. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(2), 123-138. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v1i2.209

    Botero, C. M., Tamayo, D., Zielinski, S., & Anfuso, G. (2021). Qualitative and quantitative beach cleanliness assessment to support marine litter management in tropical destinations. Water, 13(23), 3455. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/w13233455

    Boto-García, D., & Leoni, V. (2023). The economic value of coastal amenities: Evidence from beach capitalization effects in peer-to-peer markets. Environmental and Resource Economics, 84(2), 529-557. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-022-00735-5

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    Oh, C.-O., Draper, J., & Dixon, A. W. (2009). Assessing tourists' multi-attribute preferences for public beach access. Coastal Management, 37(2), 119-135. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/08920750802701128

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    Penn, J., Hu, W., Cox, L., & Kozloff, L. (2016). Values for recreational beach quality in Oahu, Hawaii. Marine Resource Economics, 31(1), 47-62.

    Ranasinghe, R., Kumudulali, U., & Ranaweera, A. (2019). The role of park attributes in visitor satisfaction: Evidence from Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship (JoSTE), 1(1), 87-104. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v1i2.218

    Rülke, J., Rieckmann, M., Nzau, J. M., & Teucher, M. (2020). How ecocentrism and anthropocentrism influence human–environment relationships in a Kenyan biodiversity hotspot. Sustainability, 12(19), 8213. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198213

    Salubre, P. L. R., Bahalla, J. L., & Almagro, R. E. (2024). Psychological Capital Of Employee And Innovativeness Of Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises (Smes). Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 5(3), 203-223. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v5i3.2242

    Supheni, I., Ivada, E., Novianti, G. E., & Wiwin, W. (2023). Sustainable tourism from the perspective of tourists in Nganjuk Indonesia. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 4(3), 301-318. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v4i2.1642

    Tripathi, S. N., & Siddiqui, M. (2010). An empirical study of tourist preferences using conjoint analysis. International Journal of Business Science and Applied Management, 5. doi:10.1201/b12231-6

    Tudor, D., & Williams, A. T. (2006). A rationale for beach selection by the public on the coast of Wales, UK. Area, 38(2), 153-164. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2006.00684.x

    Uddin, B. (2020). Consumers' Purchase Behavior In Bangladesh: Green Products Perspectives. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(4), 305-320. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v4i2.475

    Williams, A. T., Rangel-Buitrago, N., Pranzini, E., & Anfuso, G. (2018). The management of coastal erosion. Ocean & coastal management, 156, 4-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2017.03.022

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  2. AMR. (2023). Beach Tour Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Service Type, by Travelers, by Budget : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032. Retrieved from https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/beach-tour-market-A131954
  3. Attri, V. (2018). The role of marine tourism in IORA: The pathways ahead. Paper presented at the 3rd Tourism Experts Meeting for the Establishment of the IORA Core Group on Tourism, Durban.
  4. Barbosa de Araújo, M. C., & da Costa, M. F. (2008). Environmental Quality Indicators For Recreational Beaches Classification. Journal of Coastal Research, 24(6), 1439-1449. doi:https://doi.org/10.2112/06-0901.1
  5. Bitok, K. (2019). Sustainable tourism and economic growth nexus in Kenya: policy implications for post-Covid-19. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(2), 123-138. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v1i2.209
  6. Botero, C. M., Tamayo, D., Zielinski, S., & Anfuso, G. (2021). Qualitative and quantitative beach cleanliness assessment to support marine litter management in tropical destinations. Water, 13(23), 3455. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/w13233455
  7. Boto-García, D., & Leoni, V. (2023). The economic value of coastal amenities: Evidence from beach capitalization effects in peer-to-peer markets. Environmental and Resource Economics, 84(2), 529-557. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-022-00735-5
  8. Das, S., & Bhattacharya, S. (2021). Factors affecting beach walkability-Tourists’ perception study at selected beaches of West Bengal, India. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 35, 100423.
  9. de Oliveira, V. N., Chamorro-Mera, A., & Lourenço, P. F. d. A. C. (2013). The importance of the environment in the selection of sun and sea holiday destinations and its relationship with the environmental commitment: the case of Portuguese and Spanish tourists. Responsibility and Sustainability, 1(1), 33-43.
  10. Dodds, R., & Holmes, M. R. (2019). Beach tourists; what factors satisfy them and drive them to return. Ocean & coastal management, 168, 158-166. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2018.10.034
  11. Gifford, R., & Sussman, R. (2012). Environmental attitudes.
  12. Houngbeme, D. J.-L., Igue, C. B., & Cloquet, I. (2021). Estimating the value of beach recreation in Benin. Tourism Recreation Research, 46(3), 390-402. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2020.1777052
  13. Kamwendo, A. R., & Maharaj, M. (2022). The preferences of consumers when selecting skin care products. Journal of Contemporary Management, 19(1), 82-106. doi:https://doi.org/10.35683/jcm20134.138
  14. Kil, N., Holland, S. M., & Stein, T. V. (2014). Structural relationships between environmental attitudes, recreation motivations, and environmentally responsible behaviors. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 7, 16-25. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2014.09.010
  15. Kucukusta, D., & Guillet, B. D. (2014). Measuring spa-goers’ preferences: A conjoint analysis approach. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 41, 115-124. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2014.05.008
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  17. Levin, J. D., & Milgrom, P. R. (2020). Consumer Theory. Economics Primer.
  18. Li, J., & Hudson, S. (2016). Conjoint analysis of consumer preferences to destination brand attributes.
  19. Liu, J., Zhao, Y., & Jang, S. (2021). Understanding beach tourists’ environmentally responsible behaviors: An extended value-attitude-behavior model. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 38(7), 696-709. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2021.1985036
  20. Lopez-del-Pino, F., & Grisolía, J. M. (2018). Pricing Beach Congestion: An analysis of the introduction of an access fee to the protected island of Lobos (Canary Islands). Tourism Economics, 24(4), 449-472. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816617740065
  21. Marcin, T. C. (1993). A characteristics model approach to demand analysis for wood composites: USDA Forest Service, University of Wisconsin.
  22. Marshall, A. (1890). Principles of Economics, Volume 1: Macmillan and Company.
  23. Mateer, T. J., Rice, W. L., Taff, B. D., Lawhon, B., Reigner, N., & Newman, P. (2021). Psychosocial factors influencing outdoor recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 3, 621029. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2021.621029
  24. Mensah, I. (2021). Factors Influencing Visitors' Perceptions of Beach Quality at the Kokrobite Beach in Ghana. Tourism in Marine Environments, 16(2), 83-98. doi:https://doi.org/10.3727/154427321X16170954575551
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  26. Penn, J. (2013). Valuation of recreational beach quality and water quality management strategies in oahu. Theses and Dissertations-Agricultural Economics. Paper 19.
  27. Penn, J., Hu, W., Cox, L., & Kozloff, L. (2016). Values for recreational beach quality in Oahu, Hawaii. Marine Resource Economics, 31(1), 47-62.
  28. Ranasinghe, R., Kumudulali, U., & Ranaweera, A. (2019). The role of park attributes in visitor satisfaction: Evidence from Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship (JoSTE), 1(1), 87-104. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v1i2.218
  29. Rülke, J., Rieckmann, M., Nzau, J. M., & Teucher, M. (2020). How ecocentrism and anthropocentrism influence human–environment relationships in a Kenyan biodiversity hotspot. Sustainability, 12(19), 8213. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198213
  30. Salubre, P. L. R., Bahalla, J. L., & Almagro, R. E. (2024). Psychological Capital Of Employee And Innovativeness Of Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises (Smes). Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 5(3), 203-223. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v5i3.2242
  31. Supheni, I., Ivada, E., Novianti, G. E., & Wiwin, W. (2023). Sustainable tourism from the perspective of tourists in Nganjuk Indonesia. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 4(3), 301-318. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v4i2.1642
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  34. Uddin, B. (2020). Consumers' Purchase Behavior In Bangladesh: Green Products Perspectives. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 1(4), 305-320. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v4i2.475
  35. Williams, A. T., Rangel-Buitrago, N., Pranzini, E., & Anfuso, G. (2018). The management of coastal erosion. Ocean & coastal management, 156, 4-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2017.03.022
  36. Wolch, J., & Zhang, J. (2004). Beach recreation, cultural diversity and attitudes toward nature. Journal of leisure research, 36(3), 414-443. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2004.11950030