Summary
This Executive Summary presents the final methodological framework for the Research and Monitoring Centre for Coastal and Maritime Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean (hereinafter referred to as “RMCMED”), incorporating the results of pilot applications, stakeholder consultations, and a comprehensive assessment of available data sources.
It establishes a practical and internationally aligned system for monitoring sustainable tourism, distinguishing between coastal and maritime tourism while supporting evidence-based policy and destination management. The framework introduces a revised system of 168 indicators organized into four sustainability dimensions and classified into Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 according to their operational readiness rather than their theoretical importance. It also defines the data architecture, quality assurance procedures, and primary research framework, emphasizing standardized data collection, permanent data-sharing agreements, and resident, business, and visitor surveys as essential components of the Research and Monitoring Centre for Coastal and Maritime Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Overall, the document provides a comprehensive roadmap for establishing a reliable, scalable, and evidence-based monitoring system capable of supporting sustainable tourism planning and decision-making across Mediterranean coastal and maritime destinations.
It establishes a practical and internationally aligned system for monitoring sustainable tourism, distinguishing between coastal and maritime tourism while supporting evidence-based policy and destination management. The framework introduces a revised system of 168 indicators organized into four sustainability dimensions and classified into Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 according to their operational readiness rather than their theoretical importance. It also defines the data architecture, quality assurance procedures, and primary research framework, emphasizing standardized data collection, permanent data-sharing agreements, and resident, business, and visitor surveys as essential components of the Research and Monitoring Centre for Coastal and Maritime Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Overall, the document provides a comprehensive roadmap for establishing a reliable, scalable, and evidence-based monitoring system capable of supporting sustainable tourism planning and decision-making across Mediterranean coastal and maritime destinations.