Exploring recreational activities on Ghanaian beaches: a socio-demographic analysis

Beach resources, facilities, and environmental conditions play critical roles in shaping recreational activities and opportunities for beachgoers. Thus, this study explores the dimensions of recreational activities undertaken at tourist beaches in Ghana, while also examining the disparities in activities among beach users. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected from 315 beach users between November 2020 and February 2021 at tourist beaches in the Accra Metropolis. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to discern the dimensions of beach recreational activities engaged by the users. Three primary dimensions emerged: water-dependent, sand-dependent, and beach facility-based activities. The findings revealed that beach facility-based activities (M = 2.81), such as photography and enjoying snacks with a scenic beach backdrop, were the most preferred and pursued by users. Conversely, water-dependent activities (M = 3.76), such as swimming, freediving, and sand-dependent activities (M = 3.68), such as beach relaxation and sand bathing, were less preferred and pursued due to prevailing beach conditions. Furthermore, the analysis examined variations in recreational activities across visitors’ demographic profiles using statistical methods such as t-tests and analysis of variance. The findings revealed that gender, nationality, age, marital status, education, and purpose of visit significantly influence tourists’ recreational pursuits. Coastal and tourism managers should prioritize initiatives aimed at enhancing water and sand quality, including regular monitoring, pollution control, and sustainable waste management practices. Additionally, tailored interventions should be designed based on the preferences and sensitivities of different demographic groups to ensure a more inclusive and gratifying beach experience for all visitors.