(narrator) The Mediterranean is one of the largest global tourist destinations,
attracting about 300 million people each year
with a forecast of 500 million by 2030.
This will have a huge impact in decades to come.
Developing an increasing sustainable tourism is of the utmost importance.
(Erica Harms) Tourism actually is a good thing if it's done the proper way.
Compare it to mining, compare it to overfishing.
It is a good industry and there is a way to do it right,
but there is a way that it can happen without the communities having any control
if they just stand on the sidelines.
(narrator) Marine protected areas are a winning card
for sustainable tourism,
as they ensure a healthy and productive sea,
and support local economies.
Just think about the value of a grouper on a plate
compared to the much higher value of a grouper alive in the wild
and its appeal for divers.
(Italian) (Augusto Navone) We have to promote sustainable devlopment
bearing in mind that the starting point must be the key conservation objectives.
I'm particularly referring to underwater tourism
that takes adventage of fish population increase
and on the so called "MPA effect".
In 2014 we reached about 20.000 dives
that brought more than 13.5 million Euros to the local community.
(narrator) Ecotourism is today a great opportunity for local operators
and therefore for local economies.
(Erica Harms) Many travelers just want to have that opportunity
to be close to nature.
If you get them to come back,
that's the type of tourism you want to have in the long run
because you have the ability to develop the product
that those tourists want,
you'll have the ability to become one of the entrepreneurs and the leaders,
versus having others come and dictate where the market is going
(Italian) (Luca Tixi) My ideal tourist is a curious tourist.
A keen interest, curiosity and desire to discover
are the key elements
to get the best from the activities that we organise.
I grew up in this marine area and know it well.
If I had not had this knowledge,
if I had not explored this place thoroughly
as I did with my dad as a child,
perhaps the result wouldn't be the same.
When we started this business, there could have been no other choice
because when you know an area well, you can explain it well.
(Italian) (Sillvia Barani) It's a marine protected area,
it's a national park,
it's also know as "Park of the People",
and I think the charm of these places will endure as long as they are part
of a community.
Those who live here, those who choose to live here,
those who invest in and work here
have developed a close attachment to the territory
and respect for the environment is essential.
The certification process for the Park has been followed very well.
It is, and will continue to be, a success.
It works because the marine protected area is definitely an added value
for tourism structures,
and such structures are an added value to the marine protected area.
(Marina Gomei) Marine protected areas are one of the tools
to reach sustainable tourism,
and at WWF we work with the tourist sector
to ensure that they take care of their own destinations
as a value to be protected for a long-term investment.
(narrator) Furthermore, the Mediterranean marine protected areas
provide cultural and educational services that are of great importance,
as younger generations are the tourists of tomorrow.
(French) (Jean-Louis Pieraggi) We have a big role to plan
since we are one of the most touristic areas of Corsica.
The Lavazzi islands are highly frequented every year.
We have a lot of responsibilities in confeying information
and allowing a change of behaviour
through activities like the underwater trail.
And the visitors enjoy their time through this secured activity.
This activity allows us to deliver a message
about the importance of protecting nature.
- (interviewer) Do you like it? - (child) Yes, I do.
(narrator) Investing in marine protected areas
means shaping a new future for the Mediterranean .
An investment that cannot wait.