Analysis of beach safety perception and satisfaction among haeundae beach visitors through CIT method

Kim, M.J.; Chun, S.B.; Kim, W.K., and Lee, C.W., 2014. Analysis of beach safety perception and satisfaction among Haeundae Beach visitors through CIT method. This study was designed to look into the safety status of Haeundae Beach in Busan city from its visitors' perspective. Rather than researching based on the perspective of experts, as is typical in research, the authors of this study analyzed the experiences regarding beach safety of the actual users of the beach, who expressed both positive and negative emotional perceptions. The Critical Incident Technique was used for the analysis, with the selection of 104 research subjects. The research subjects were asked to answer a questionnaire which included open questions about positive and negative experiences during their visits to Haeundae Beach. The results showed that the research subjects were satisfied the most with the dedicated and hard work of the lifeguards and the Coast Guard, according to an analysis of their reported positive experiences. On the other hand, the research subjects were mostly concerned about the relatively small number of lifeguards, dangerous trash on the sand, and misbehaving drunken people at night, in that order. From the result of the study, the researchers concluded that specialization and increasing the number of lifeguards are the key points if seeking to develop a higher standard of safety at Haeundae Beach and at other beach sites in Korea. To achieve this, it is strongly recommended that Haeundae officials and local governments take beach safety into account and promote more mature citizenship.