Review Study - Executive Summary
This executive summary presents the key findings of the Review Study developed as the foundation for the Methodological Framework of the Research and Monitoring Centre for Coastal and Maritime Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean. The study reviews international, European, and Mediterranean frameworks, methodologies, and best practices for measuring sustainable tourism. It highlights the strategic importance of establishing a dedicated Observatory to support evidence-based policymaking through reliable, comparable, and regularly updated data.
The analysis identifies significant challenges related to the definition of coastal tourism, spatial delimitation, and data availability, while proposing operational definitions suitable for the project's objectives. It evaluates leading sustainability indicator frameworks, including SF-MST, ETIS, and UNWTO methodologies, and examines their strengths and limitations. The study concludes that no existing framework fully addresses the specific characteristics of coastal and maritime tourism in the Mediterranean. Consequently, it recommends a tailored methodological approach built around the four sustainability dimensions—economic, environmental, social, and governance—supported by robust data governance and interoperability.
The findings provide the scientific basis for developing a practical, scalable, and policy-oriented Observatory capable of monitoring sustainability and supporting informed decision-making across the region.
The analysis identifies significant challenges related to the definition of coastal tourism, spatial delimitation, and data availability, while proposing operational definitions suitable for the project's objectives. It evaluates leading sustainability indicator frameworks, including SF-MST, ETIS, and UNWTO methodologies, and examines their strengths and limitations. The study concludes that no existing framework fully addresses the specific characteristics of coastal and maritime tourism in the Mediterranean. Consequently, it recommends a tailored methodological approach built around the four sustainability dimensions—economic, environmental, social, and governance—supported by robust data governance and interoperability.
The findings provide the scientific basis for developing a practical, scalable, and policy-oriented Observatory capable of monitoring sustainability and supporting informed decision-making across the region.
Cruise: World, Europe, Mediterranean, Greece secondary & primary Research (Corfu): Executive Summary
This executive summary exhibits the findings on the cruise industry, of both the secondary study (P1.4) and
the primary survey (P2.3 & P2.6) carried out in the pilot destination of Corfu. The analysis covers the
international, European, Mediterranean and national level, while the primary research in Corfu allows for
empirical documentation of the economic, social, environmental and intergovernmental dimensions of
cruise tourism at the destination level.
Cruising is one of the fastest-growing forms of international tourism, with global passenger traffic amounting
to 34.6 million passengers in 2024 and projected to exceed 37.7 million in 2025. Despite the severe disruption
of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector demonstrated remarkable resilience, exceeding pre-pandemic levels
in many markets. This dynamic recovery confirms the maintained attractiveness of the touristic “product”
,
while at the same time highlighting the challenges related to sustainability, governance and social acceptance
at the host destinations.
the primary survey (P2.3 & P2.6) carried out in the pilot destination of Corfu. The analysis covers the
international, European, Mediterranean and national level, while the primary research in Corfu allows for
empirical documentation of the economic, social, environmental and intergovernmental dimensions of
cruise tourism at the destination level.
Cruising is one of the fastest-growing forms of international tourism, with global passenger traffic amounting
to 34.6 million passengers in 2024 and projected to exceed 37.7 million in 2025. Despite the severe disruption
of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector demonstrated remarkable resilience, exceeding pre-pandemic levels
in many markets. This dynamic recovery confirms the maintained attractiveness of the touristic “product”
,
while at the same time highlighting the challenges related to sustainability, governance and social acceptance
at the host destinations.