The need for a new approach to tourism that extends the tourist season and caters to both visitors and residents was identified as a major gap. For destinations to maintain the elements that support their sustainability (local character – culture, sense of community thanks to residents, economic diversification – activity outside of tourism), tourism practices must adapt. The need for tourism services that incorporate sustainability and digitalisation was highlighted as a challenge. The lessons learnt underscore the importance of inclusivity and sustainability in tourism services.
Many Greek initiatives highlight the importance of sustainable development, cultural heritage promotion, and the provision of quality services for both tourists and residents.
The Fish&Chips project promotes the archaeological and cultural heritage of Taranto in Puglia and the island of Corfu in Greece. It aims to diversify the economic activities of fishing communities and adjust seasonally. An Ecomuseum was foreseen to be established in Taranto and Corfu, offering exhibitions, workshops, tasting labs, and new itineraries guided by archaeologists and fishers. A Map of Cultural Heritage was also created, collecting tangible and intangible maritime elements of the project area.
The BEST MED project contributes to enhancing MED Governance, addressing the challenges of seasonality and lack of effective cooperation among main tourism actors. It supports evidence-based planning, monitoring, and evaluation of interventions in the MED programme. The project aimed to create a new integrated and sustainable touristic planning to mitigate seasonality in the MED area, connecting coastal regions to inland regions. It also proposed to analyse the positive and negative impacts of tourism on the quality of life of tourists, residents, and the quality of the tourist’s experience.
Lessons Learned:
Accessible Destinations for Tourists and residents alike: Creating accessible infrastructures and promoting accessible tourist destinations through publicity material, an accessible website, and information workshops can support the development of more inclusive and green localities, that provide quality of life both to residents and to tourists.
