The Mediterranean region is an emblematic region for coastal and marine tourism, as one of the most popular destinations in the world, with negative externalities impacting its natural, cultural and social resources. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the sector and has provided the opportunity to think about a different model of tourism in the Mediterranean.
In the framework of the Interreg MED Sustainable Tourism Community and in line with its mandate to work on regional tools for sustainable tourism, Plan Bleu committed to producing a report on the State of play of Tourism in the Mediterranean to inspire the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and to foster the transition towards sustainable development in the Mediterranean Region supporting the implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development and the Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Region by encouraging sustainable development in marine and coastal areas.
The aim of this report is to assess the state of play of coastal tourism, including ecotourism, in the Mediterranean in a post-COVID-19 era. It offers a shared vision and a collective roadmap to support policy and decision-makers, tourism stakeholders and local communities to develop smarter, greener and more inclusive tourism after the global health crisis. It integrates new policy initiatives and trends in the Mediterranean, paying special attention to today’s challenges and showcasing innovative sustainable tourism practices.
Multiple crises
The triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution, as well as external disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and growing geopolitical conflicts are increasing threats for the tourism industry globally, and particularly in the Mediterranean, a unique biodiversity hotspot and a major tourism player. At the same time, tourism is a major source of carbon emissions, land artificialisation and marine litter that are driving the environmental and climate crisis. However, there is scarce and fragmented knowledge on the current state and path of the sector in the region since the pandemic. This report therefore aims to help characterise Mediterranean coastal tourism in a multiple crisis context.
Impact of the pandemic
Socio-economic analysis shows that Mediterranean countries have suffered the harshest impacts of COVID-19 based on decreases in Gross Domestic Product and increased unemployment rates. The study shows that International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) decreased exponentially from 400 million inbound arrivals in 2019 to over 88 million ITAs in 2020. Lastly, some post-pandemic tourism trends point towards increased digitalization and globalisation of tourism demand and supply. Other preliminary projections include greater willingness to pay more for safer vacations, the combination of work and vacations, stronger focus on nearby markets, longer stays at few destinations, the re-emergence of long-distance train travel and preferences for outdoor spaces and activities.
Governance and institutional framework
From a governance standpoint, the document compiles relevant institutional and policy frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Declaration, as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Aichi Targets. It also builds on European Union (EU) initiatives like the Transition Pathway for Tourism, and the Blue Economy Strategy.
Finally, the report identifies key regional multilateral initiatives like the Barcelona Convention, the “Post-2020 Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Mediterranean Region» (Post-2020 SAP BIO), the Union for the Mediterranean’s initiatives on Blue Economy as well as the EU funded Interreg MED and ENI CBC Med projects on sustainable tourism.
Environmental challenges
From an environmental standpoint, the report looks closely at tourism’s capacity to face climate change mitigation and adaptation requirements. It also assesses the difficulties involved in preserving and regenerating biodiversity while continuing with tourism activities. In addition, it emphasises the challenges of applying the circular economy principles to the tourism sector, and keeping up with innovation and digitalisation demands. Finally, the document provides critical lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Critical issues
The report highlights the necessity and urgency to address the following problems:
Vision and opportunities
When it comes to offering a new vision for sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean, this report proposes three main focuses:
The new shared vision for sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean opts for long-term, sustained benefits that integrate the climate emergency. Holistic measures and innovative strategies for a fair transition from mass tourism to sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean are therefore needed.
Roadmap towards sustainable Mediterranean tourism
The overarching objectives for sustainable coastal tourism in the Mediterranean identified before the pandemic remain relevant:
As they have not been achieved yet, they are still keystones for achieving sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean.
The Strategic Directions (SD) to work towards Sustainable Mediterranean Tourism concern:
This report aims to establish the current scenario to help regional, national and local policymakers and stakeholders work towards real sustainable tourism following a shared vision:
“Promote sustainable Mediterranean tourism in which visitors and hosts enjoy balanced, respectful and fruitful relationships and value the unique Mediterranean environmental, human and cultural heritage, while ensuring inclusive socio-economic development, taking into account the carrying capacity of healthy natural ecosystems, and developing complementarity between various economic activities at the tourist destination level.”
The Mediterranean region is an emblematic region for coastal and marine tourism, as one of the most popular destinations in the world, with negative externalities impacting its natural, cultural and social resources. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the sector and has provided the opportunity to think about a different model of tourism in the Mediterranean.
In the framework of the Interreg MED Sustainable Tourism Community and in line with its mandate to work on regional tools for sustainable tourism, Plan Bleu committed to producing a report on the State of play of Tourism in the Mediterranean to inspire the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and to foster the transition towards sustainable development in the Mediterranean Region supporting the implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development and the Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Region by encouraging sustainable development in marine and coastal areas.
The aim of this report is to assess the state of play of coastal tourism, including ecotourism, in the Mediterranean in a post-COVID-19 era. It offers a shared vision and a collective roadmap to support policy and decision-makers, tourism stakeholders and local communities to develop smarter, greener and more inclusive tourism after the global health crisis. It integrates new policy initiatives and trends in the Mediterranean, paying special attention to today’s challenges and showcasing innovative sustainable tourism practices.
Multiple crises
The triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution, as well as external disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and growing geopolitical conflicts are increasing threats for the tourism industry globally, and particularly in the Mediterranean, a unique biodiversity hotspot and a major tourism player. At the same time, tourism is a major source of carbon emissions, land artificialisation and marine litter that are driving the environmental and climate crisis. However, there is scarce and fragmented knowledge on the current state and path of the sector in the region since the pandemic. This report therefore aims to help characterise Mediterranean coastal tourism in a multiple crisis context.
Impact of the pandemic
Socio-economic analysis shows that Mediterranean countries have suffered the harshest impacts of COVID-19 based on decreases in Gross Domestic Product and increased unemployment rates. The study shows that International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) decreased exponentially from 400 million inbound arrivals in 2019 to over 88 million ITAs in 2020. Lastly, some post-pandemic tourism trends point towards increased digitalization and globalisation of tourism demand and supply. Other preliminary projections include greater willingness to pay more for safer vacations, the combination of work and vacations, stronger focus on nearby markets, longer stays at few destinations, the re-emergence of long-distance train travel and preferences for outdoor spaces and activities.
Governance and institutional framework
From a governance standpoint, the document compiles relevant institutional and policy frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Declaration, as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Aichi Targets. It also builds on European Union (EU) initiatives like the Transition Pathway for Tourism, and the Blue Economy Strategy.
Finally, the report identifies key regional multilateral initiatives like the Barcelona Convention, the “Post-2020 Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Mediterranean Region» (Post-2020 SAP BIO), the Union for the Mediterranean’s initiatives on Blue Economy as well as the EU funded Interreg MED and ENI CBC Med projects on sustainable tourism.
Environmental challenges
From an environmental standpoint, the report looks closely at tourism’s capacity to face climate change mitigation and adaptation requirements. It also assesses the difficulties involved in preserving and regenerating biodiversity while continuing with tourism activities. In addition, it emphasises the challenges of applying the circular economy principles to the tourism sector, and keeping up with innovation and digitalisation demands. Finally, the document provides critical lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Critical issues
The report highlights the necessity and urgency to address the following problems:
Vision and opportunities
When it comes to offering a new vision for sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean, this report proposes three main focuses:
The new shared vision for sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean opts for long-term, sustained benefits that integrate the climate emergency. Holistic measures and innovative strategies for a fair transition from mass tourism to sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean are therefore needed.
Roadmap towards sustainable Mediterranean tourism
The overarching objectives for sustainable coastal tourism in the Mediterranean identified before the pandemic remain relevant:
As they have not been achieved yet, they are still keystones for achieving sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean.
The Strategic Directions (SD) to work towards Sustainable Mediterranean Tourism concern:
This report aims to establish the current scenario to help regional, national and local policymakers and stakeholders work towards real sustainable tourism following a shared vision:
“Promote sustainable Mediterranean tourism in which visitors and hosts enjoy balanced, respectful and fruitful relationships and value the unique Mediterranean environmental, human and cultural heritage, while ensuring inclusive socio-economic development, taking into account the carrying capacity of healthy natural ecosystems, and developing complementarity between various economic activities at the tourist destination level.”
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