Posted by tleemay on March 23, 2001 at 11:53:27:
In Reply to: Frankly I think our local diving is a bargain! posted by Wayne on March 23, 2001 at 10:44:22:
I mentioned this before but I think is relates
to this recent thread.
Back in the summer of 1995, I ran a marketing survey
for a large SCUBA equipment manufacturer in
conjunction of a major dive gear retailer seeking
out preferences of the typical California diver.
They were trying to more pin-point their marketing
campaign strategies outside of their usual contract
media agencies.
This research included inquiry to the desired
destinations of the CA divers and what kind of
money they were willing to have extrapolated to
get their diving fix and why.
What the report came up with was that the majority
of the divers and shops surveyed showed that diving
the California Coast was the best bang for the buck
given the available boats, comfort, sights and
experiences the WC had to offer. Of the more well
traveled divers (divers from CA that traveled abroad
to specific diving destinations more than once a
year) CA rated number two for domestic destinations
right behind, you guessed it, S. Fla for cost per
dive and experience value (which I equated to saying
'they saw something neat'). Hawaii was 3rd mostly
due to the extra cost of land based loging, food,
airfare (at that time), and the fact it cost about
$100 average for two tanks if booking multiple days
with the local boat charter of choice. Hawaii did
come in second though for shore diving activities
with Florida in first and CA third.
Personally, I think Hawaii should be first for shore
diving.