Developing Southern Mediterranean Tourism:The Interface Between Strategy and Sustainability

Abstract

This paper builds on a work originally carried out using FEMIP Trust Fund resources to analyse tourism strategies and policies in the nine FEMIP countries plus Turkey, i.e. almost all Southern Mediterranean countries. It reviews the current position of the tourism sector across the region, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each country, and whether the strategies being followed are compatible with the concept of Sustainable Tourism.

Tourism has a long history in the FEMIP countries and has become a growth sector in most of them. This is primarily due to the region’s natural and cultural resources, a desirable climate, and a location close to key markets.