Analysis of sustainable ocean tourism

The competitiveness of tourism is closely linked to its sustainability, as it is strongly influenced by the natural environment and its interaction with local communities and cultures. In this context, the aim is to develop the activity with minimal environmental impact. In other words, the aim is to promote ecosystem-friendly tourism, with minimal impact on the environment and local cultures (e.g., reinvesting in and protecting the natural and cultural assets on which the sector depends, enhancing resilience to climate change and biodiversity loss, and equitably distributing tourism revenues to ensure the economic well-being of coastal and island nations). In addition, sustainable tourism contributes to the economic prosperity of local populations through employment and income opportunities.

The specific objective of this consultancy was to carry out a socio-economic analysis to provide an evidence base and relevant proof points for the benefit in shifting to a sustainable model of coastal and marine tourism. Demonstrating that it makes sense to invest in targeted interventions aimed at improving the long-term sustainability of ocean-based tourism.

The team achieved this objective by articulating the scope of sustainable marine and coastal tourism in the context of a sustainable ocean economy, including environmental, social and economic indicators; undertaking an in-depth global review and synthesis of existing knowledge and studies (academic and grey literature) on ocean economy and sustainable tourism, including investments and policy measures and their socio-economic implications, as well as on cost and benefits of interventions; compiling a list of identified interventions based on global literature review; providing a cost benefit analysis of interventions; and identifying benefits of cooperation within the tourism sector and providing gross estimates of these benefits, along with a summary of the opportunities to enhance cooperation, barriers and relevant policies.

Link to report