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Tourism Dynamics and Sustainability: A Comparative Analysis between Mediterranean Islands—Evidence for Post-COVID-19 Strategies

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni Ruggieri

    (Department of Economics, Business and Statistics (SEAS), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Patrizia Calò

    (Observatory on Tourism in the European Islands—OTIE, 90139 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

Tourism may not sustainably support territories with limited natural resource stock such as islands. The volume of visitor arrivals and the industry investments can increase the pressure even beyond sustainable levels. There is an evident and unresolved tension between these two great polarities, sustainability and economic growth driven by tourism. The aim for policymakers is to find an acceptable equilibrium between these two dimensions. This paper investigates tourism evolution between 2007 and 2019 in 15 Mediterranean islands, comparing tourism pressures through statistical indicators. The analysis will compare tourism demand and supply trends in these contexts. The performances will be evaluated to identify the islands’ positioning between sustainability needs and tourism development opportunities while considering post-COVID-19 challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Ruggieri & Patrizia Calò, 2022. "Tourism Dynamics and Sustainability: A Comparative Analysis between Mediterranean Islands—Evidence for Post-COVID-19 Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:4183-:d:784554
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    1. Matteo Mazzarano & Giulia Galluccio & Simone Borghesi, 2025. "Italian urban tourism predictions using the holiday Climate Index," Tourism Economics, , vol. 31(4), pages 631-650, June.
    2. Fabio Mazzola & Pietro Pizzuto & Giovanni Ruggieri, 2022. "Tourism and territorial growth determinants in insular regions: A comparison with mainland regions for some European countries (2008–2019)," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 101(6), pages 1331-1382, December.

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