Cruise tourism: an ecological and economic assessment in the territorial context of Portofino MPA

Tourism and cruise tourism in 3 municipalities along the ligurian coast were studied through emergy analysis. Two municipalities are inside the Portofino MPA. The environmental costs and the economic benefits of tourism activities were assessed in the local territory. Moreover the load imposed to the environment by cruise ship tourism was calculated. Similarities and differences among case studies emerged also depending on different territorial management strategies. Results proved that these activities should be managed integrating them in the local context to reduce or mitigate their impacts in order to progress towards their sustainable manage- ment.