Tourism sustainability methodologies: A critical assessment

In an era of economic crisis and serious environmental constraints, the transition to sustainability enters dynamically the debate over long-term preservation and welfare at a systemic level. Tourism is a resource- (capital, human and natural) demanding sector; this paper explores the variety and diversity of methodological approaches and tools employed in the evaluation of tourism, and their potential to support sustainability-oriented assessments and practices. Ranging from traditional economics-oriented frameworks to assessments of impact and ecological footprint, this paper discusses the prevailing assessment frameworks of specific tourism dimensions heading towards the integrative approaches for Tourism Sustainability Assessment. The review highlights that despite the widespread acceptance of the concept and the international consensus on the importance of its operationalization, the transition towards tourism sustainability remains still a complicated and rather problematic endeavour. © 2014 IEEE

Cyprus' image—a sun and sea destination—as a detrimental factor to seasonal fluctuations. Exploration into motivational factors for holidaying in Cyprus

Cyprus is established as a summer destination. To aid the destination in developing its winter season as well, this research uses a qualitative inductive approach to explore the tourists’ current image of the island and their motivations of visiting it. The research indicates that the current image, which essentially portrays Cyprus as a sun-and-sea destination is thought to dissuade tourists from perceiving the island as a year-round destination. Nonetheless, increasing the pull factors of the destination through the development of unique special interest products can help in extending the tourism season as well as broaden its narrow image

Clustering Sustainable Destinations: Empirical Evidence from Selected Mediterranean Countries

Within the globalized tourism market, tourism destinations have the option to turn to sustainability as a conceptual and management framework for their unique branding and identity proposition. This research highlights the importance and utility of sustainability branding that stems from clustering tourism destinations based on the similarities of their tourism performance attributes. The study builds on secondary data from 11 coastal destinations in 8 Mediterranean countries. The analysis leads to the formulation of three main sets of evaluation indicators: (a) environmental footprint; (b) destination dependency on tourism; and (c) locals’ prosperity, incorporating elements of social and psychological carrying capacity. Findings identify three to four distinct destination clusters based mainly on the attributes of destinations’ cultural and natural attributes, seasonality of supply, typology of prevailing accommodation and tourist profile. From a theoretical perspective, the research identifies key clustering attributes of sustainable destinations that could inform management interventions around destination branding and competitive sustainability performance positioning

Visitors’ perceptions on the management of an important nesting site for loggerhead sea turtle (<i>Caretta caretta</i> L.): the case of Rethymno coastal area in Greece

Tourism has important impacts, both positive and negative, on the management of coastal areas with high biodiversity value. It is therefore important to investigate visitors’ perceptions concerning environmental policy alternatives for these areas along with the factors influencing these perceptions. The present paper aims to investigate visitors’ perceptions of an important nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles located in a highly touristic area of Greece (Rethymno, Crete) registered in the Natura 2000 network. The paper focuses on the level of environmental awareness of visitors and their perceptions of two proposed policy instruments which will secure funding for the improvement of the environmental management of the area: an entrance fee to the beach and a tax to be levied on local accommodation costs. The influence of social and institutional trust on these perceptions is also explored. According to the results of the study, awareness of the existence of the Natura 2000 site was low. Furthermore, the accommodation tax was regarded as a more effective policy when compared to the entrance fee. Average Willingness to Pay (WTP) was also explored for the two policies, estimated at €1.13 for the daily accommodation tax and €1.59 for the entrance fee. The influence of social and institutional trust had a significant influence both on the perceived level of effectiveness of the proposed policies and the stated Willingness to Pay. The study concludes that the accommodation tax would be a more appropriate policy for the management of Rethymno beach taking into consideration visitors’ perceptions and the current level of trust

Impacts of climate change on the evolution of water resources in the context of the Mediterranean islands using as an example two Aegean Sea islands : consequences for touristic activities in the future

International audienceThe ecological and economic stakes of the climate change impacts are posed in particular terms on islands, especially in the Mediterranean, where summer tourism is one of the pillars of the activity of island communities. The climate scenarios for the Mediterranean islands up to 2050 make it possible to better identify, at the scale of each island, the modifications that Climate Change (CC) is likely to imply on the water balance. The results for 360 islands (104,263 km²) over the whole basin give an average temperature evolution of +2.3°C with values between +1.8 and +2.9°C. This means a rise of potential evapotranspiration of the order of 135 mm/year with local values varying between 110 mm/year and 170 mm/year. The change in relative annual precipitation varies between -11.6% and +2.9% with an average of -6.5%. The regional analysis shows that the water balance should be more impacted in the eastern part especially in the Aegean Sea and along the southern shore of the Mediterranean. The rainfall deficit coupled with the increase in evapotranspiration would result locally in a significant reduction of surface runoff and underground water recharges, which could be of the order of 40% on average over the year. On top of interannual variations, there is a high degree of uncertainty about water resources in 2050. At the same time, mass tourism and other forms of tourism have become the backbone of the economies of many Mediterranean islands and the trend is expected to strengthen. The water demand of this sector during the summer dry season only complicates the problem and is at the expense of other sectors of activity, including agriculture. Case studies are presented on the islands of Rhodes and Samos comparing the evolution of water resources and demand from the tourism sector. Results suggest that foreseeable lowering of water resources in close future should be tackled with a more efficient Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) especially on Mediterranean islands whose economy is based on mass tourism. An alternative would be to lesser water consumption per capita combined with a more effective recycling of sewage.Les enjeux écologiques et économiques de l'impact du changement climatique se posent en des termes particuliers sur les îles, notamment en Méditerranée, où le tourisme estival est l'un des piliers de l'activité des communautés insulaires. Les scenarii climatiques pour les îles méditerranéennes à l'horizon 2050 permettent de mieux identifier, à l'échelle de chaque île, les modifications que le CC est susceptible d'impliquer sur le bilan hydrologique. Les résultats pour 360 îles (104 263 km²) sur l'ensemble du bassin donnent une évolution moyenne de la température de +2,3°C avec des valeurs comprises entre +1,8 et +2,9°C. Cela signifie une augmentation de l'évapotranspiration potentielle de l'ordre de 135 mm/an avec des valeurs locales variant entre 110 mm/an et 170 mm/an. La variation des précipitations annuelles relatives varie entre -11,6% et +2,9% avec une moyenne de -6,5%. L'analyse régionale montre que le bilan hydrique et hydrologique devrait être plus affecté dans la partie orientale, en particulier dans la Mer Égée et le long de la rive sud de la Méditerranée. Le déficit pluviométrique couplé à l'augmentation de l'évapotranspiration se traduirait localement par une réduction significative du ruissellement de surface et des recharges en eaux souterraines, déficit qui pourrait être de l'ordre de 40% en moyenne sur l'année. En plus des variations interannuelles, il existe un degré élevé d'incertitude sur les ressources en eau en 2050. Dans le même temps, le tourisme dont en particulier le tourisme de masse est devenu l'épine dorsale des économies de nombreuses îles méditerranéennes et cette tendance devrait se renforcer. Les besoins en eau de ce secteur pendant la saison sèche estivale ne font que compliquer le problème et se font au détriment d'autres secteurs d'activité, dont l'agriculture. Des études de cas seront présentées sur les îles de Rhodes et de Samos afin de comparer l'évolution des ressources en eau et de la demande du secteur du tourisme. Les résultats suggèrent que la diminution prévisible des ressources en eau dans un avenir proche devrait être abordée avec une Gestion Intégrée des Ressources en Eau (GIRE) plus efficace, en particulier dans les îles méditerranéennes dont l'économie est basée sur le tourisme de masse. Une alternative serait de réduire la consommation d'eau par habitant tout en assurant un recyclage plus efficace des eaux usées

Impacts of climate change on the evolution of water resources in the context of the Mediterranean islands using as an example two Aegean Sea islands : consequences for touristic activities in the future

International audienceThe ecological and economic stakes of the climate change impacts are posed in particular terms on islands, especially in the Mediterranean, where summer tourism is one of the pillars of the activity of island communities. The climate scenarios for the Mediterranean islands up to 2050 make it possible to better identify, at the scale of each island, the modifications that Climate Change (CC) is likely to imply on the water balance. The results for 360 islands (104,263 km²) over the whole basin give an average temperature evolution of +2.3°C with values between +1.8 and +2.9°C. This means a rise of potential evapotranspiration of the order of 135 mm/year with local values varying between 110 mm/year and 170 mm/year. The change in relative annual precipitation varies between -11.6% and +2.9% with an average of -6.5%. The regional analysis shows that the water balance should be more impacted in the eastern part especially in the Aegean Sea and along the southern shore of the Mediterranean. The rainfall deficit coupled with the increase in evapotranspiration would result locally in a significant reduction of surface runoff and underground water recharges, which could be of the order of 40% on average over the year. On top of interannual variations, there is a high degree of uncertainty about water resources in 2050. At the same time, mass tourism and other forms of tourism have become the backbone of the economies of many Mediterranean islands and the trend is expected to strengthen. The water demand of this sector during the summer dry season only complicates the problem and is at the expense of other sectors of activity, including agriculture. Case studies are presented on the islands of Rhodes and Samos comparing the evolution of water resources and demand from the tourism sector. Results suggest that foreseeable lowering of water resources in close future should be tackled with a more efficient Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) especially on Mediterranean islands whose economy is based on mass tourism. An alternative would be to lesser water consumption per capita combined with a more effective recycling of sewage.Les enjeux écologiques et économiques de l'impact du changement climatique se posent en des termes particuliers sur les îles, notamment en Méditerranée, où le tourisme estival est l'un des piliers de l'activité des communautés insulaires. Les scenarii climatiques pour les îles méditerranéennes à l'horizon 2050 permettent de mieux identifier, à l'échelle de chaque île, les modifications que le CC est susceptible d'impliquer sur le bilan hydrologique. Les résultats pour 360 îles (104 263 km²) sur l'ensemble du bassin donnent une évolution moyenne de la température de +2,3°C avec des valeurs comprises entre +1,8 et +2,9°C. Cela signifie une augmentation de l'évapotranspiration potentielle de l'ordre de 135 mm/an avec des valeurs locales variant entre 110 mm/an et 170 mm/an. La variation des précipitations annuelles relatives varie entre -11,6% et +2,9% avec une moyenne de -6,5%. L'analyse régionale montre que le bilan hydrique et hydrologique devrait être plus affecté dans la partie orientale, en particulier dans la Mer Égée et le long de la rive sud de la Méditerranée. Le déficit pluviométrique couplé à l'augmentation de l'évapotranspiration se traduirait localement par une réduction significative du ruissellement de surface et des recharges en eaux souterraines, déficit qui pourrait être de l'ordre de 40% en moyenne sur l'année. En plus des variations interannuelles, il existe un degré élevé d'incertitude sur les ressources en eau en 2050. Dans le même temps, le tourisme dont en particulier le tourisme de masse est devenu l'épine dorsale des économies de nombreuses îles méditerranéennes et cette tendance devrait se renforcer. Les besoins en eau de ce secteur pendant la saison sèche estivale ne font que compliquer le problème et se font au détriment d'autres secteurs d'activité, dont l'agriculture. Des études de cas seront présentées sur les îles de Rhodes et de Samos afin de comparer l'évolution des ressources en eau et de la demande du secteur du tourisme. Les résultats suggèrent que la diminution prévisible des ressources en eau dans un avenir proche devrait être abordée avec une Gestion Intégrée des Ressources en Eau (GIRE) plus efficace, en particulier dans les îles méditerranéennes dont l'économie est basée sur le tourisme de masse. Une alternative serait de réduire la consommation d'eau par habitant tout en assurant un recyclage plus efficace des eaux usées

Impacts of climate change on the evolution of water resources in the context of the Mediterranean islands using as an example two Aegean Sea islands : consequences for touristic activities in the future

International audienceThe ecological and economic stakes of the climate change impacts are posed in particular terms on islands, especially in the Mediterranean, where summer tourism is one of the pillars of the activity of island communities. The climate scenarios for the Mediterranean islands up to 2050 make it possible to better identify, at the scale of each island, the modifications that Climate Change (CC) is likely to imply on the water balance. The results for 360 islands (104,263 km²) over the whole basin give an average temperature evolution of +2.3°C with values between +1.8 and +2.9°C. This means a rise of potential evapotranspiration of the order of 135 mm/year with local values varying between 110 mm/year and 170 mm/year. The change in relative annual precipitation varies between -11.6% and +2.9% with an average of -6.5%. The regional analysis shows that the water balance should be more impacted in the eastern part especially in the Aegean Sea and along the southern shore of the Mediterranean. The rainfall deficit coupled with the increase in evapotranspiration would result locally in a significant reduction of surface runoff and underground water recharges, which could be of the order of 40% on average over the year. On top of interannual variations, there is a high degree of uncertainty about water resources in 2050. At the same time, mass tourism and other forms of tourism have become the backbone of the economies of many Mediterranean islands and the trend is expected to strengthen. The water demand of this sector during the summer dry season only complicates the problem and is at the expense of other sectors of activity, including agriculture. Case studies are presented on the islands of Rhodes and Samos comparing the evolution of water resources and demand from the tourism sector. Results suggest that foreseeable lowering of water resources in close future should be tackled with a more efficient Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) especially on Mediterranean islands whose economy is based on mass tourism. An alternative would be to lesser water consumption per capita combined with a more effective recycling of sewage.Les enjeux écologiques et économiques de l'impact du changement climatique se posent en des termes particuliers sur les îles, notamment en Méditerranée, où le tourisme estival est l'un des piliers de l'activité des communautés insulaires. Les scenarii climatiques pour les îles méditerranéennes à l'horizon 2050 permettent de mieux identifier, à l'échelle de chaque île, les modifications que le CC est susceptible d'impliquer sur le bilan hydrologique. Les résultats pour 360 îles (104 263 km²) sur l'ensemble du bassin donnent une évolution moyenne de la température de +2,3°C avec des valeurs comprises entre +1,8 et +2,9°C. Cela signifie une augmentation de l'évapotranspiration potentielle de l'ordre de 135 mm/an avec des valeurs locales variant entre 110 mm/an et 170 mm/an. La variation des précipitations annuelles relatives varie entre -11,6% et +2,9% avec une moyenne de -6,5%. L'analyse régionale montre que le bilan hydrique et hydrologique devrait être plus affecté dans la partie orientale, en particulier dans la Mer Égée et le long de la rive sud de la Méditerranée. Le déficit pluviométrique couplé à l'augmentation de l'évapotranspiration se traduirait localement par une réduction significative du ruissellement de surface et des recharges en eaux souterraines, déficit qui pourrait être de l'ordre de 40% en moyenne sur l'année. En plus des variations interannuelles, il existe un degré élevé d'incertitude sur les ressources en eau en 2050. Dans le même temps, le tourisme dont en particulier le tourisme de masse est devenu l'épine dorsale des économies de nombreuses îles méditerranéennes et cette tendance devrait se renforcer. Les besoins en eau de ce secteur pendant la saison sèche estivale ne font que compliquer le problème et se font au détriment d'autres secteurs d'activité, dont l'agriculture. Des études de cas seront présentées sur les îles de Rhodes et de Samos afin de comparer l'évolution des ressources en eau et de la demande du secteur du tourisme. Les résultats suggèrent que la diminution prévisible des ressources en eau dans un avenir proche devrait être abordée avec une Gestion Intégrée des Ressources en Eau (GIRE) plus efficace, en particulier dans les îles méditerranéennes dont l'économie est basée sur le tourisme de masse. Une alternative serait de réduire la consommation d'eau par habitant tout en assurant un recyclage plus efficace des eaux usées

Spatial patterns of accessibility between islands of the North and South Aegean regions and Attica

Accessibility is an important determinant of socio-economic development at all spatial levels because it critically affects the operations and success of economic activities. Measures of accessibility are frequently used to support development policy-making and spatial planning. The spatial sciences provide several quantitative approaches to assess accessibility and identify over- and under-served areas. This chapter contributes to the broader issue of quantifying accessibility by analyzing the spatial patterns of accessibility in the case of a very fragmented geographical space; the islands of the North and South Aegean Sea Regions, Greece. Following a preliminary spatial analysis of: Transportation route frequency, passen-gers/population, two graph theory metrics and mean ticket cost, clustering methods, enhanced by introducing local indices of spatial association, are employed to determine possible groupings of islands and delineate spatial clusters based on their accessibility. "Hot spots" of accessibility in the study area are identified, suggesting that accessibility is more spatially clustered than would be expected under a random model