Making Nautical Tourism Greener in the Mediterranean

Ani Trstenjak,Saša Žiković,Hoda Mansour

doi:10.3390/su12166693

Ani Trstenjak, Saša Žiković + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166693

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Abstract

We analyze the elements determining the sustainability of nautical tourism in selected Mediterranean countries (Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, Italy and Turkey). The purpose of our research is to investigate the main obstacles to greater application of renewable energy sources (RES) as the basis for the sustainability of nautical tourism. The obtained results provide valuable information that can help companies and policy makers choose appropriate strategies to achieve the EU 2030 sustainability goals in this sector. Our survey among charter companies was conducted during 2018 on a sample of 51 respondents. We conclude that there is a serious lack of knowledge among nautical tourism respondents regarding the availability of financial instruments from EU funds intended for increasing energy efficiency and adoption of RES. Respondents were familiar with general measures to reduce energy costs but are not familiar with the measures and opportunities provided by available European funds. Our results confirm previous research indicating that significant savings in energy consumption can be achieved by using RES (especially photovoltaic (PV) modules) and that insufficient financial resources and lack of knowledge are the main obstacles to achieving higher adoption rates of RES and increasing energy efficiency in nautical tourism.

Highlights

Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world
Tourism revenues are the main source of income, where a skillfully run and well-promoted tourism industry offers a multitude of jobs and supports the local economy
With regards to the energy pillar of sustainable development, energy efficiency should be promoted by energy efficiency technologies and the penetration of renewable energy sources (RES), as well as by encouraging a demand management program that will contribute to cost internalization using targeted economic instruments [6]

Summary

Introduction

Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world. In the long run, the basic indicators and trends in the industry, up until 2020, are strong and continue to show a steady upward trend. As well as for the regions that depend on tourism, it is important to manage and develop it in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The main pillars are conservation of resources, gathering of all relevant information and sharing of responsibilities among all participants in order to create a foundation for sustainable tourism development with the minimum possible negative environmental impacts. With regards to the energy pillar of sustainable development, energy efficiency should be promoted by energy efficiency technologies and the penetration of renewable energy sources (RES), as well as by encouraging a demand management program that will contribute to cost internalization using targeted economic instruments [6]. On a wider level, such an approach can reduce installed electricity capacity and overall energy needs, as well as create additional employment opportunities associated with the use of renewables [2,7]

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