Are Beaches Losing Their Capacity to Receive Holidaymakers? The Case of Ofir, Portugal

Abstract

Coastlines are suffering from the effects of erosive processes, the decrease in sediment supply, the rise in mean sea level, and the construction of coastal infrastructure and drainage works, which are further exacerbated by global climate change. The area of the Parque Natural do Litoral Norte (North Coast Natural Park) reveals worsening erosion rates and the transformations directly affect the natural resources that support tourism activities, particularly beach and nature tourism. As part of the CLICTOUR project, we have selected the coastline from Restinga de Ofir to Bonança Beach as a case study. The ESRI ArcGIS software and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) were used to quantify coastline migration and identify the impacts on beach morphology between 2010 and 2023. Based on this information, we calculated changes in carrying capacity and scenarios for visitor usage availability to ensure the protection of fauna and flora, as well as the safety of beachgoers. The results of the linear regression rate confirm the coastline has retreated during the period analyzed (2010–2023). The outcome of these dynamics is noticeable in the beach area, promoting its reduction in area and leisure quality. Considering climate change, this study shows the importance of developing resilience strategies for coastal territories that serve as traditional summer destinations.