1. The concept of marine ecotourism: Case study in a Mediterranean island
Fani Sakellariadou
Prof in Geo-chemical Oceanography
Faculty of Shipping and Industry
Dept of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus, Greece
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

2. Any kind of responsible travel to coastal and marine settings
Marine ecotourism
Any kind of responsible travel to coastal and marine settings
under the strict condition of
environmental conservation,
elimination of environmental impacts,
improvement of local communities well being
with respect of local culture and indigenous people.
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

3. ■ sector of sustainable tourism.
Marine ecotourism
■ sector of sustainable tourism.
■ should be
nature based, directly dependent on intact marine ecosystems
educational, modifying human behaviour patterns towards an
environmentally responsible attitude
managed in accordance with
spatial planning in order to help resolving conflicting interests
the sustainability theory.
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

4. Activities involved in marine ecotourism
sail and/or power cruising
kayaking
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

5. underwater photography
snorkeling
underwater photography
scuba diving
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

6. sightseeing by boat or submersible
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

7. observation of marine life
endangered species
Steller Sea Lion
Mediterranean Monk Seal
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

8. diving with sharks
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

9. swimming with dolphins
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

10. visiting coral reefs
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

11. sea angling sea bird watching
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

12. Visiting underwater sculptural museums
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

13. observing underwater archeological sites
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14. Visiting submerged artifacts
The city of Heracleion swallowed by Mediterranean, submerged near Alexandria in Egypt, buried in sand and mud for 1,200 years.
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15. visiting shipwrecks Bermuda Northern Red Sea, Egypt
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16. Katapola, Amorgos, Greece
visiting shipwrecks
Katapola, Amorgos, Greece
Zakynthos, Greece
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17. Marine ecotourism benefits
▬Local economies are positively affected:
►Ecotourists prefer to buy local items, goods, handicrafts and small presents
→ strong promotion of locally produced food, drink and souvenirs.
►The use of small traditional guesthouses is encouraged.
►The use of existing facilities and infrastructure is supported
ie. harbor facilities of a local fishing community to be used for passenger
boat trips.
►A strong possibility of new skills and jobs .
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

18. ▬ Young people are motivated to stay at the specific places of origin.→
opportunity for working activities with a positive environmental impact.
▬ Raising funds to support marine research and environmental
protection/ conservation projects on a local scale.
▬ Promotion of economic alternatives to activities responsible for
environmental degradation and weakening of local biotopes.
▬ Education
▬ Eco awareness
▬ Environmentally friendly lifestyles
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

19. Marine ecotourism potential negative impacts
▬ Motorized boats may disturb mammals at critical levels.
▬ Scuba-divers may harm coral reef habitats.
▬ Boats anchors can affect the marine ecosystem.
▬ Increased number of visitors increases
the environmental pressure,
the consumption of natural resources,
the production of litter.
▬ Remote settings → long distances trips → many emissions →
higher
→ climate change → planet warming and more acidic oceans ↓
Pressure on marine life
with calcareous skeletons, ie
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

20. Marine ecotourism should
be in accordance with the Marine Spatial Planning - MSP
adopt the principles of the EU’s Blue Growth Strategy.
MSP: a public process for analyzing and planning the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities at sea
▬ ensuring the highest possible level of efficiency and sustainability,
▬ eliminating conflicts between various users and
▬ creating synergies between different activities.
MSP: a major parameter of Blue Growth
BG: a strategy supporting sustainability growth in the marine and maritime sectors as a whole, with the integration of activities taking place in oceans, seas and coasts.
EU: Oct 2012, unanimously endorsment of Blue Growth Strategy by European Ministers for Maritime Affairs.
The major blue growth priority areas refer to
(i) Blue energy,
(ii) Aquaculture,
(iii) Maritime, coastal and cruise tourism,
(iv) Marine mineral resources
(v) Blue biotechnology.
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

21. Greek Cyclades archipelago 40 nautical miles off the coast of Attica.
Case study
The island of Andros
Aegean Sea
Greek Cyclades archipelago
40 nautical miles off the coast of Attica.
380 km2
mostly mountainous terrain with many fruitful and well-watered valleys
mild Mediterranean climate
rocky coasts with many well protected bays
rich flora and fauna
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

22. Natura 2000 European network of protected areas: On the land
Special Areas of Conservation
Special Protected Areas
Marine habitats
2. A marine region of 7000 hectares, with large underwater meadows of the seagrass species Posidonia oceanica.
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

23. Significant archaeological sites and monuments.
A centuries-old, rich naval tradition and a strong cultural heritage.
Museums:
2 archaeological museums
a museum of modern art
a maritime museum
a folklore and Christian art museum
a folk heritage museum
a Cyclades olive museum.
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

24. Cycladic architecture and neoclassic mansions.
Kairios Library:
extensive collection of rare publications and manuscripts
a historical archive
strong action for the natural environment preservation
Cycladic architecture and
neoclassic mansions.
Port facilities at 4 coastal areas
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

25. The island shows a continuous improvement in the sections of tourism,
agriculture,
farming and
fish-farming.
Tourism is the most important resource of Andros, with related business corresponding to 50% of the total local enterprises.
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

26. The island is a highly interesting spot for leisure tourism,
cultural tourism,
adventure tourism,
wildlife tourism,
educational tourism and
medical tourism.
The needs of all types of tourists can be met following the principles of ecotourism, protecting the physical and cultural heritage and favouring local economies.
Conclusion: Tourism business in Andros can be developed following the concept of marine ecotourism abandoning the current somewhat outdated model.
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014

27. Thank you for your attention
6th International Conference on Climate Change, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, June 2014