dossier sur le tourisme et le développement durable

2
Preamble
fact that environmental quality is an important factor in competitiveness and should therefore be
protected. This protection concerns the environmental aspects that are involved in the development
and marketing of tourism products: landscapes, monuments, quality of beaches, etc.
• A third interpretation is based on ecology from a sociological and political point of view. The emphasis
is therefore on the necessity for tourism that is ecologically responsible. This is essentially a
conservation approach, the priority of which is the protection of natural resources and ecosystems.
With this in mind, “soft” tourist activities are acceptable from the moment that they are complementary
and not perturbing for the environment.
• A fourth approach refers to economic development that is ecologically sustainable in which tourism is
one of the elements of a global sustainable development strategy. In this context the preservation of
the environment is as important as economic efficiency and social equity. Tourist policies are therefore
closely linked to social, economic and environmental policies. It is an integrated and balanced
approach. Plan Bleu prefers this approach that considers tourism as one of the driving forces for
sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
These various interpretations can coexist at various levels in the same destination, depending
on the respective logic of those involved in politics or in economics, visitors, residents, etc. The
notion of « sustainable tourism » can therefore be defined as the result of these four
interpretations that should not be considered separately.
3. The Mediterranean’s assets
The Mediterranean has four assets for tourism that explain its appeal.
The diversity and the wealth of the historical, cultural, natural and scenic heritage
The great wealth of its heritage is a reminder of the role of the Mediterranean in the formation of
civilisations as both a shared area and as a meeting place. Nowadays there is a joint capital –
vegetation and landscapes, olive growing, agricultural traditions, Roman cities– and aspects
that differentiate the areas based on language, national history, religion, and so forth. This
heritage is not merely composed of towns and monuments of worldwide renown (the Pyramids,
the Acropolis, Venice, Istanbul, Carthage, etc.), but also of a constructed heritage ranging from
the exceptional to the ordinary (ancient villages, craft and industrial heritage such as mills, etc.).
To this can be added a living culture of traditional origin (cooking, celebrations, dances and
songs) or of more recent origin (urban life, large music festivals, opera, cinema, etc.). Finally,
the Mediterranean is one of the seats of worldwide biodiversity especially for plants and birds.
The variety of this natural heritage provides it with assets for the development of ecotourism.
A favoured climate and coastline
A mild sunny winter climate was at the origin of tourism on the Mediterranean coast in the 19 th
century, with the creation of the first « winter cities ». The hot, dry summer climate was
fundamental to the development of seaside tourism during the second half of the 20 th century.
The Mediterranean sea still remains the focal point of the heliotropic flow with about 40% of
seaside tourists in the northern countries and 80% in the southern ones. The coast that has
been humanised for a long time, blending nature and culture, obviously represents a privileged
tourist spot. Yet, the Mediterranean is not the best ranked on the worldwide market, especially
compared to the tropics, with regard to the criteria of sun and sea temperature or to the
spectacular nature of its coastal landscapes.
Cultural and physical proximity to the European market
The geographical proximity of the Mediterranean countries with their main supplier markets
adds to the development of transport facilities (service, rapidity) that has promoted access to
holidays for a greater number of tourists. Access by road within no more than two days, often
less, is possible for the countries in the north and east of the Mediterranean basin because of
the short distances. The development of high speed trains has also shortened these distances.
Air transport places the southern and eastern Mediterranean destinations at 3 or 4 hours from
most cities of northern Europe.