Towards a Better Understanding of Yacht Cruisers in Europe The Case of Algarve, Portugal

Abstract

The aim of this research was to understand the profile of yacht cruisers in Europe who cross the Algarve coasts, specifically their travel characteristics, motivations, lifestyles, and relationships with nature and local people. This research also intended to produce knowledge about yacht cruisers’ needs in terms of services and facilities. Data was obtained from 21 semi-structured interviews. The responses to the sociodemographic and travel characteristics were analysed using descriptive statistics techniques. The files in text format were then subjected to qualitative content analysis utilising NVivo 9 (QSR International, 2010). Travel characteristics, motivations, lifestyle of yacht cruisers and their relationship with nature and local people, needs, and related facilities in the host destinations. The findings of the study could be applied within the scope of public policies, that is, regarding the leveraging of the Algarve’s image as a sustainable nautical tourism destination. The knowledge about motivation and lifestyle created by this study is compelling for both the consolidation of theories and their implementation into regional policies and also provides interesting data for other destinations as these yachters move to other geographies. None of the main research on ocean cruising was undertaken in Europe or focused on European yacht cruisers’ lifestyles.