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Abstract |
Despite the environmental and cultural importance of the Mediterranean, many immediate and long-term threats to biodiversity and local cultures persist, including the region’s reliance on revenue from mass tourism. Ecotourism has been demonstrated to be a form of tourism that is respectful to nature and culture which engages local people and brings significant economic benefits to local communities without the disruptive effects that mass tourism brings in its wake. The Mediterranean Experience of Ecotourism (MEET) is an EU-funded initiative, designed to harness the potential of ecotourism in the region. Having recently completed its three-year project life at the end of 2015, and involved 25 protected areas in 8 countries, MEET’s goal is to continue integrating new protected areas to expand the conservation and economic benefits of sustainable, respectful and nature-oriented tourism across the Mediterranean Basin. |
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