Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Environmental considerations for feasibility of new golf course development in Alicante province (Spain)

Author(s):

Francisco J. Del Campo Gomis ^*, David B. López Lluch, José M. Sales Civera, Asunción M. Agulló Torres, Jesús Lagos Milla

Recieved Date: 2010-01-23, Accepted Date: 2010-04-03

Abstract:

Tourism is the most important sector of the economy in Alicante province (Spain) and mainly concentrates on a “sun and beach” model. However, golf tourism is increasingly significant due to its quality and all-year round nature. Furthermore, the number of Spanish golfers has tripled in the last ten years. This has led to the construction of 14 golf facilities and 38 new projects in Alicante province. These data point to golf as a clearly growing economic sector in Alicante province. However, if growth in this new sector is not well managed, it can lead to sustainability problems in many areas of the province. In order to evaluate the significance of this development, this paper firstly, describes possible golf course scenarios for Alicante in 2020; and secondly, evaluates these using a feasibility analysis involving Analytic Hierarchy Process methodology, depending on social, economical and natural environmental aspects affecting development. Twelve golf course possible scenarios have been elaborated from a supply and demand analysis. The aspects from the social and economic point of view for the development and future success of golf courses that are analyzed are: socioeconomic profitability, existent infrastructures, land property structure and capital structures. The natural most important aspects that can affect the development and location of the golf courses that are analyzed are: climate, landscape, topography, soil type, hydrology, readiness of water resources, natural protected spaces and historical and cultural places. The feasibility of the different scenarios for golf course development in Alicante for the year 2020 were calculated, applying the AHP methodology, through a matrix developed from the valuations given to each one of the social, economic and natural environmental aspects. The feasibility of each scenario is given inside a scale from 1 to 10 and the scenario with 48 golf courses in 2020 is the maximum sustainable limit to golf development in the province.

Keywords:

Golf courses, feasibility, environment, Alicante, Spain

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2010
Volume: 8
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 1174-1179

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