California's Ocean Economy - California Resources Agency - State ...

NOEP
volume and diversity, along the coastal zone 44 . As of 2000, it was one of the major growth
engines not only for the coastal counties, but also for the entire state. Tourism and
recreation-related economic activities are shaping development patterns in the coastal zone,
which account for a major share of population and economic activities. 45 Coastal tourism
also makes California’s position competitive in international tourism as studies have shown
that beaches are the leading international tourist destination. 46
Summary Tables 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 show what a large influence California’s Coastal Tourism
& Recreation sector has had on the state. While its economic contribution was quite
significant in 2000, its growth in the decade 1990-2000 was even more significant - far larger
than any other Ocean Economy sector in California with a GSP increase of almost 62%, a
wage increase of 55%, and an employment increase of more than 35%. In fact, its decadal
growth kept the California Ocean Economy sector in positive numbers during that decade.
Without Tourism & Recreation, there would have been a large net loss in all columns.
Understanding the role that California’s ocean and coasts play in Tourism & Recreation, and
estimating its value to the state is not a simple task. The NOEP has divided this chapter into
three sections to untangle some of this complexity. First, we define coastal recreation and its
scope and scale. This data is not captured in the market data, and so could be added with
some degree of reliability. Within this section, the reader will find a brief paper estimating
both market and non-market values for all of California’s beaches, a number that is as high
as $5 billion a year, again measured in a different way and so cannot be added directly to the
market data, but in many ways is added value to the estimated market totals. Second, travel
spending is defined, described, and estimated for both California and the coast, since
economic data for tourism is not easily separated, except by coastal counties. The travel
spending data is actually included in the market data. Finally, we provide regional estimates
of market values for employment, wages, and GSP to show geographic areas of largest and
slowest sector growth between 1990-2000.
California Coastal Recreation - Definition and Measurement
Coastal recreation is undertaken by local residents, by residents of California who travel to
the coast, and by residents of other states and countries. Recreation may impact the
California economy by as much as spending at a luxury hotel in Santa Barbara or as little as a
hot dog on the beach in Santa Monica. Data is not available for all expenditures by those
who recreate along the California shore, but a comprehensive national survey undertaken in
2000 does measure the number of people and activity levels involved in California ocean
recreation. 47 This data, combined with state data on use of key coastal recreation resources,
provide a picture of the magnitude of coastal recreation resource use. This data is presented
in the next part of this chapter.
Travel in California Coastal Counties - Definition, Description and Spending
Estimates
44
1998 Year of the Ocean: Coastal Tourism and Recreation. http://www.yoto98.noaa.gov/yoto/meeting/tour_rec_316.html
45
C. Cunningham, and Walker, K. 1996. “Enhancing Public Access to the Coast through the CZMA.” The Journal of
Marine Education, Volume 14, No.1. pp 8-11.
46
J.R. Houston, 1996. “International Tourism and U.S. beaches”. Shore and Beach.
47
National Survey on Recreation and Environment, 2000.
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