Unraveling the social structuring of coastal visitation behaviors to understand health impact disparities

Coastal destinations are widely recognized for their benefits to tourism and human health, yet limited research has investigated the diverse behaviors exhibited in these environments. This study explored patterns in visitors’ activities and social interactions at the coast and examined how these behaviors relate to visit frequency, seasonality, visit duration, and demographic, socio-economic, and health characteristics. We drew data from a cross-sectional survey data of a representative sample of Flemish coastal visitors (N=1302) in Belgium in 2022. The analyses followed the principles of Bourdieu’s theory of distinction and applied multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis to uncover structuring dimensions and typologies. Four dimensions mapped the key variation in coastal visits: (1) visit frequency, (2) preference for natural vs. built environments, (3) visits with family vs. friends/alone, and (4) socialization vs. exploration. Five typologies were segmented: ‘Salty Socializers,’ ‘Family Trippers,’ ‘Singles In The City,’ ‘Senior Foodies,’ and ‘Lone Roamers’. Visitors’ exposure to the coast clearly varied with age, household situation, and level of social support. By introducing a new sociological perspective to the field of nature-and-health, we illuminate the pivotal role of citizens’ social capital and various other individual characteristics for understanding coastal visitation behaviors and repercussions for health. Future research should not only examine the roles of age, sex/gender, and socio-economic status when assessing the use and effects of restorative environments in the context of health and well-being, but also the role of citizens' social context.