Water footprint in drylands: the case of sun and beach tourism in Guanacaste (Costa Rica)

Abstract

This article briefly elaborates on the uses of water in services and activities related to sun and beach tourism in dry regions such as Guanacaste, in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. The concept of water footprint is used to understand the relationship between tourism and water consumption. This document discusses the implications of this approach of consumption, especially in dry environments that depend on underground extraction of water. The information comes from secondary sources review and its contextualization to the case of Guanacaste. The purpose of this paper is to provide some orientation to the discussions taking place among several involved participants in the area about the usage of water in dry environments and how this orientation should manifest itself in public policies that guide water management.

Keywords

• Water management
• Guanacaste
• Water footprint
• Dry regions
• Sun and beach tourism