Maritime Tourism Development and Prospects in Coastal Cities: The Case of Heraklion, Chania and Limassol

The paper elaborates on maritime tourism, i.e. cruising and yachting, in the Mediterranean Basin. Today, although maritime tourism is dynamically gaining ground in many Mediterranean cities, there is no specific regulatory framework for it yet, apart from European Union’s recommendations, aiming at motivating countries to promote tourist development. The paper addresses the subject of maritime tourism by reviewing and analyzing the current or future implications that this sector has or may bring upon Mediterranean cities through three relevant examples, two from the island of Crete (Heraklion and Chania), and one from the island of Cyprus (Limassol). More specifically, through case study work, existing links of maritime tourism to the reality of the city; the benefits and drawbacks that the sector can have on the local economy; and its potential for future development are explored. The three case studies indicate that in order to maximize the benefits gained from maritime tourism by local societies and economies, a certain strategic planning framework should be established, broadening the interaction of maritime and land activities. Such a framework should be enriched by Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) principles as well as Information and Communication Technologies’ (ICT) potential, steering “Smart” Tourism Development (STD) and fulfilling sustainability objectives i.e. marine and land environmental protection, spatial and social cohesion, as well as economic development of coastal Mediterranean cities.