User’s Perception of Beach Characteristics and Management in Summer and Autumn Seasons: The Case of Gran Canaria Island (Spain)

The beaches located in warm regions (with mild and stable climate) are spaces with a potentially continuous arrival of visitors throughout the year. That is a main difference with respect to temperate zones, where the increased demand for activities on the beaches and their surroundings are concentrated in the summer season. In warm regions, like the Canary Islands (Spain), there are differences in the annual flow of visitors in relation to the intensity of their arrival and their origin (local, national and international). In this environment, with insular character and limited resources, the management of beaches as a natural and economic resource, is especially important, as well as meeting the needs of users who visit them. Therefore, the knowledge of the user’s profile and public perception is an essential tool for establishing management measures.