The Emerging Sport Tourism Destination of Sardinia

Sardinia is one of the most ancient lands in Europe, located in the western region of the Mediterranean basin, the second-largest island of the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily and before Cyprus. The island is currently a renowned destination for sea-sun-sand tourism segments, although, in recent years, various tourist attractions have been developed. Thanks to its geology and variety of territories, Sardinia is suitable for practising different types of sports and consequently, for hosting sport events. An emerging tourist segment is related to the practice of water boardsports: kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing. An exploratory study, focusing on supply and demand, has been presented. According to the supply analysis, facilities offering boardsports are widespread along the island’s coasts, which confirms an increase in the growth of these activities. An investigation into the demand reported interesting pieces of tourism-related evidence, such as travel behaviours and the perception of surfing spot conditions. Finally, findings suggested that this emerging tourism segment could attract tourists during the low season and improve tourism in an environmentally sustainable manner, in light of the respect for the natural environment shown by surfers and the importance of the quality of the natural environment for surf tourists.