The Mediterranean Region : a state of the art report on the situation of Mediterranean countries

Abstract

It is a known fact that the Mediterranean regions are the cradle of some of the most important civilizations of the world and have left, without any doubt a cultural heritage that has continued to influence the entire world until today. These regions have also a diversity of landscapes that contribute to local and regional identity, reflecting the past and present relationship between the human being and the natural and built environment. Nowadays, however, increasing threats can be witnessed to cultural identity, heritage and landscape diversity of the region resulting from external (e.g. globalization) and internal factors (e.g. rapid urbanization with consequent impacts on traditional socio-economic structures). Now also, the Mediterranean is subject to increasing degradation of its environment, cultural heritage and landscapes. Because of these realities it is necessary to encourage involved organisms and organizations, to strive for rational management of this space, with innovative and the most modern technologies taking due account of the imperatives of conservation and reinforcing the practice of a sustainable tourism that promotes low impact on the environment and the local cultures, while helping to generate income, employment, and the conservation of local ecosystems. Innovation, together with use and application of technologies to traditional and important sectors, such as Tourism in the Mediterranean countries, will be a key aspect in their future economic development.