Co-Evolve4BG Indicators for Sustainable Tourism (underdevelopment)

The growth of tourism in the Mediterranean, especially in coastal areas, coupled with the effects of climate change, will continue to affect landscape, soil and coastal stability, put pressure on species and water resources and increase waste and pollution discharges into the sea. It is therefore important to analyse and promote the co-evolution of human activities and natural ecosystems in touristic coastal and marine areas towards sustainable development, including Blue Growth, based on the principles of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP).

Aim of the tool

The aim of this set of indicators is to assess the sustainability of coastal and marine tourism at a local level.

Main objectives

The main objective of this set of indicators is to measure the sustainability of tourism in coastal and marine touristic destinations in the Mediterranean. The indicator system, specifically customised for each pilot, will also help to identify information and data needs and gaps for informing strategic planning and that can be used as a reference for future planning activities and mainstreaming ICZM principles into public action.

Technological infrastructure

No specific technological requirements are required to implement this tool with the exception of the use of a PC and Internet connection.

Training

No training is needed to implement this tool; it is sufficient to follow the steps indicated in the “Users Guidelines” currently under development.

Investment

The tool, currently under development, will be free to download from the CoEvolve4BG project’s website when finalised.

Concept

This tool consists of a set of indicators to measure and assess the sustainability of tourism at a local level (MPA, city, province, region etc.) as a basis to develop measures, actions and planning to mainstream ICZM principles into public action. Sustainability is assessed in terms of criteria corresponding to Threats & Enabling Factors (T&EF). The detailed explanation of how to use the toolkit is currently being developed and will be included in the “User Guidelines”.

Pilot areas

This tool will be tested in seven Pilot Areas: Sousse (Tunisia); Djerba (Tunisia); Circeo (Italy); Alexandroupoli and Samothraki (Greece); Murcia (Spain); Batroun (Lebanon); and Tyre (Lebanon).

Recommended timeline of implementation

This tool is currently under development, and expected to be finalised by the end of September 2022. Afterwards, based on the feedback received from local actors, partners will customise the toolkit by selecting the main indicators that reflect major issues affecting coastal and marine tourism at each pilot area scale. Once identified, data related to the selected indicators will be collected and an assessment of tourism sustainability will be conducted at a pilot area scale.

This tool is currently in progress; more information on the implementation challenges will be available as soon as the testing phase has been carried out.

Quantitative results

It is expected that with this tool, local authorities will develop a comprehensive assessment of the status of coastal and marine tourism in their area, which they will then use to develop the most appropriate policies and strategies to ensure the sustainability of this sector following ICZM principles.

Transfer potential

Once finalised, this tool can be applied by any coastal and marine tourism destination in the Mediterranean.