Aquatic Gentrification

Public project summary

My research explores the dual nature of surf tourism, highlighting both its benefits and detriments. On the positive side, surf tourism can stimulate local economies and provide healthier lifestyle alternatives for impoverished communities, as seen in regions like Nicaragua and El Salvador. However, it often displaces locals, fosters environmental harm, and exacerbates gentrification, with unchecked market growth marginalizing host communities. Localism and territorial disputes among surfers further contribute to tensions, leading to aggression and violence. In the end some surfers advocate for sustainable practices and collaboration among stakeholders to combat these problems. I on the other hand would like to use data as a resource to find whether the financial impacts are positive or negative towards both the environment and communities.