A fast growing economic sector with sustainability problems

The tourism is a very dynamic sector in the Mediterranean region, generating economic growth, income and employment. In the context of sustainable development, this sector also becomes a priority concern for the Mediterranean strategy for sustainable development under the Mediterranean Action Plan. In 2007, the Mediterranean Basin was visited by 275 millions international tourists, i.e. about 30% of the world total tourists. The Blue Plan estimates that the number could reach 637 million tourists in 2025, including 312 millions in coastal areas only.
 
Most stakeholders involved in Mediterranean wetlands still consider that in wetlands areas where socio-economic development takes place, tourism, if well managed and environmentally sensitive, may be one of the preferred development options in wetlands area because less destructive compared to urbanization, agriculture, industry and public infrastructure development options (cf. Study, MWO, 2010). Eco-tourism or well-controlled mass tourism (such as in Dalyan in Turkey or Hula in Israel) can bring useful benefits to local communities, with a limited impact on wetlands. Indirectly, tourists visits limit poaching instances and unsustainable use of natural resources.

However, mass tourism has a multi-faceted impact on wetlands:

• Land, including wetlands, is converted to the required infrastructures: hotels, residences, airports, golf courses…
• Water that used to feed the wetlands is diverted for the needs of tourist equipments (swimming-pools, golf courses…). Over-consumption of water is especially high in summer, when water becomes scarce in the Mediterranean.
• Too numerous tourists in particular areas cause heavy disturbance to wildlife and fragile habitats (e.g. sand dunes in deltas), causing the most sensitive species to vanish.
• Finally, mass tourism nearby wetlands often demands the eradication of the nuisance caused by mosquitoes. This leads to additional wetland pollutions, as pesticides or petrol are sprayed so as to kill mosquito larvae.