Summary
This Executive Summary presents the final methodological framework for the Coastal and Maritime Tourism Observatory, incorporating the results of pilot applications, stakeholder consultations, and a comprehensive assessment of available data sources.
It establishes a practical and internationally aligned system for monitoring sustainable tourism, distinguishing between coastal and maritime tourism while supporting evidence-based policy and destination management. The framework introduces a revised system of 168 indicators organized into four sustainability dimensions and classified into Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 according to their operational readiness rather than their theoretical importance. It also defines the data architecture, quality assurance procedures, and primary research framework, emphasizing standardized data collection, permanent data-sharing agreements, and resident, business, and visitor surveys as essential components of the Observatory.
Overall, the document provides a comprehensive roadmap for establishing a reliable, scalable, and evidence-based monitoring system capable of supporting sustainable tourism planning and decision-making across Mediterranean coastal and maritime destinations.
It establishes a practical and internationally aligned system for monitoring sustainable tourism, distinguishing between coastal and maritime tourism while supporting evidence-based policy and destination management. The framework introduces a revised system of 168 indicators organized into four sustainability dimensions and classified into Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 according to their operational readiness rather than their theoretical importance. It also defines the data architecture, quality assurance procedures, and primary research framework, emphasizing standardized data collection, permanent data-sharing agreements, and resident, business, and visitor surveys as essential components of the Observatory.
Overall, the document provides a comprehensive roadmap for establishing a reliable, scalable, and evidence-based monitoring system capable of supporting sustainable tourism planning and decision-making across Mediterranean coastal and maritime destinations.