The Unbelievably Easy Way To Boost Tourism and Jobs in Beach Communities
The NOAA Marine Debris Program funded a study to look at how the amount of marine debris on beaches can affect the behaviors of beachgoers and as a result, the economies of coastal communities, where tourism and recreation account for $124 billion in gross domestic product (GDP).
Most notably this study reveals that doubling the amount of marine debris on beaches within these coastal areas would decrease the number of days visitors spend on those beaches. This decline in beach visitor days would result in fewer tourism dollars spent, and translate into a decrease in local jobs.
The study areas included the Gulf of Mexico beaches in Alabama.
