مؤسسة الشرق الأوسط للنشر العلمي
عادةً ما يتم الرد في غضون خمس دقائق
Tourism has become a pivotal social and economic force, significantly shaping societies since the late 20th century. As a key contributor to global economic activity and job creation, its growth shows no signs of slowing, with international arrivals projected to rise steadily. However, the rapid proliferation of mass tourism in the Mediterranean region poses critical challenges to environmental sustainability, particularly in fragile ecosystems like coastal zones and rural landscapes. Seasonal tourism often leads to concentrated visitor flows, amplifying resource consumption, waste production, and pollution. Moreover, tourism infrastructure developments, such as hotels and transport networks, heighten pressures on local resources and ecosystems. This study investigates the environmental impacts of mass tourism in the Mediterranean using literature review and case study approach, emphasizing key factors such as energy demand, water consumption, and waste management. By analyzing data from diverse regional destinations, it illustrates how peak tourist seasons exacerbate environmental strain. Case studies from Costa Rica, Morocco, and Slovenia illustrate the tangible benefits of adopting innovative approaches such as ecotourism, community-led conservation, and zero-waste initiatives. To address these environmental pressures, it is most important to adopt the right sustainable tourism policies such as stricter environmental regulations, incentives for eco-friendly infrastructure as well as promotion of off-season travel into their dictionary of price setting. Preparing the adoption of strengthening local governance capacities, enhancement of waste management systems, and promotion of models of community tourism, are thus important steps toward sustainability. Integrating these measures will make the region balance tourism expansion with environmental preservation for its long-term viability as a global travel destination.