The potential of coastal ecotourism in Central Mediterranean islands : a case study from the Aegadian Archipelago

Abstract

The study aims at identifying the challenges hindering the success of coastal ecotourism within a central Mediterranean archipelago - the Aegadian one, off the western coast of Sicily - and at identifying good practices in an attempt to propose a tourism model that addresses the environmental and socio -economic challenges of this archipelago. 4 study visits and 40 interviews with various coastal tourism stakeholders were carried out between October 2012 and October 2015. Whereas numerous challenges to coastal ecotourism have been identified, a number of success stories have been recorded, which confirm that should adequate policies be implemented and necessary actions taken, coastal ecotourism can serve as an alternative to the characteristic seasonal and mass tourism pattern currently dominating this archipelago.peer-reviewe