Construction and comparative analysis of an environmental integration evaluation model for the Qingdao bathing beaches

As the most participatory place for coastal tourism, tourists’ comprehensive evaluation of the bathing beach is significant for its planning and management. This paper considers four bathing beaches in the Qingdao Seaside Scenery Spot as study areas. Through on-site inspections and questionnaire surveys, using statistical analysis software to compare the differences in demographic characteristics, time pattern characteristics and activity characteristics, analyzing population needs, and applying the entropy method, this study calculates the weights of the evaluation index series. An Environmental Integration Evaluation Model for the four bathing beaches is thus constructed, and the differences among the four evaluation models and weights are compared and analyzed. In addition, the study proposes design guidelines for suitability, people-orientation, and service offering. The following conclusions are drawn from the results: 1) the needs of users and the planning of the bathing beach influences the tourists choice for the beach; 2) the evaluation indicators with larger weight differences are planning and infrastructure, and the environmental elements with larger weight differences are natural environment, natural risks, vibrant landscapes, and convenience and service facilities; 3) Bathing beaches should enhance the attractiveness of the natural environment, improve the wind-wave safety warning system, enhance the participation of the site, optimize the traffic structure, and improve the service management level of the infrastructure.