Fishing TOURIsm for a Sustainable tourism development in the MEDiterranean area
TOURISMED is a project aimed at testing and transferring a fishing tourism business model in the coastal territories of Italy, Cyprus, Greece,Albania,France and Spain as a way to promote a sustainable approach to tourism,while fostering the preservation of the marine ecosystem and traditional fishing culture of the MED region._x000D_
These areas face the common challenge of finding new solutions for the worrying depletion of marine resources, the decline of the artisanal fishing sector and the negative impacts of tourism such as social dislocation,loss of cultural heritage and ecological degradation.As a response,the project objective is to promote fishing tourism as a sustainable coastal and maritime tourism practice in the MED area._x000D_
Expected changes concern an improved use of resources by artisanal fishers,a diversification of income in the sector and a better valorization of coastal traditional heritage and local seafood._x000D_
The project will produce a pilot test of the model and an evaluation tool to assess its replication in the concerned area. A training course will involve fishermen to implement the touristic itineraries in synergy with local tourism operators.The final model will be promoted by a web tool to clients willing to set up a fishing tourism business, while an interactive map of itineraries will be used to reach tourists.Protocols with public bodies and fishing associations (MoU) will be followed by policy recommendations to ensure sustainability of project’s impacts.