Research on the Development of Marine Leisure Sports in Small and Medium-Sized Cities

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to identify and prioritize factors for the development of marine leisure sports in small and medium-sized cities.

Methods/Statistical analysis: The Delphi survey and hierarchical analysis were used as research methods, and conclusions were derived based on the results of the analyses.

Findings: Firstly, the top factors for the development of marine leisure sports in small and medium-sized cities were identified in the order of price, facilities, program, environment, and human resources.

Secondly, sub-factors for the program factor were diversity, expertise, safety, segmentation, and program development. Price factors appeared as tuition fees, additional facility fees, package product development, membership operations, and coupon systems. Sub-factors for human resources were staff friendliness, staff diligence, staff proactiveness, instructor friendliness, and instructor expertise. Environmental factors were listed as business accessibility, organized facilities, tourist site accessibility, cleanliness/hygiene, and public transportation convenience. Sub-factors for facilities were showers, restrooms, parking lots, convenience facilities, and equipment replacement.

Thirdly, among the factors for the development of marine leisure sports in small and medium-sized cities, the most important sub-factors were found to be safety for the program factor, tuition fees for the price factor, instructor friendliness for the human resources factor, business accessibility for the environmental factor, and equipment replacement for the facility factor.

Improvements/Applications: Based on these results, it is considered important for local governments of small and medium-sized cities to focus on the management and supervision of facilities, operation programs, safety management, and human resources, especially instructors.