-
(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.