The case for offshore wind farms, artificial reefs and sustainable tourism in the French mediterranean

TY - JOUR

T1 - The case for offshore wind farms, artificial reefs and sustainable tourism in the French mediterranean

AU - Westerberg, Vanja

AU - Jacobsen, Jette Bredahl

AU - Lifran, Robert

PY - 2013/2

Y1 - 2013/2

N2 - As the French government strives to achieve their offshore renewable energy target, the impact of offshore wind farms on coastal tourism in the Languedoc Rousillon is now being questioned. To assess this issue, a choice experiment was undertaken to elicit tourist preferences for wind turbines at different distances from the shore. We also examined whether potential visual nuisances may be compensated by wind farm associated reef-recreation or by adopting a coherent environmental policy. The findings indicate that age, nationality, vacation activities and their destination loyalty influence attitudes towards compensatory policies. Two policy recommendations are suggested. First, everything else being equal, wind farms should be located no closer than 12 km from the shore. Second, and alternatively, a wind farm can be located from 5 km and outwards without a loss in tourism revenues if accompanied by a coherent environmental policy and wind farm associated recreational activities.

AB - As the French government strives to achieve their offshore renewable energy target, the impact of offshore wind farms on coastal tourism in the Languedoc Rousillon is now being questioned. To assess this issue, a choice experiment was undertaken to elicit tourist preferences for wind turbines at different distances from the shore. We also examined whether potential visual nuisances may be compensated by wind farm associated reef-recreation or by adopting a coherent environmental policy. The findings indicate that age, nationality, vacation activities and their destination loyalty influence attitudes towards compensatory policies. Two policy recommendations are suggested. First, everything else being equal, wind farms should be located no closer than 12 km from the shore. Second, and alternatively, a wind farm can be located from 5 km and outwards without a loss in tourism revenues if accompanied by a coherent environmental policy and wind farm associated recreational activities.

U2 - 10.1016/j.tourman.2012.04.008

DO - 10.1016/j.tourman.2012.04.008

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0261-5177

VL - 34

SP - 172

EP - 183

JO - Tourism Management

JF - Tourism Management

ER -