Cruise Tourism and Sustainability in the Mediterranean. Destination Venice

Abstract

During recent decades, cruise tourism has seen enormous growth in both passenger numbers and destinations. The downside of this growth is the negative impact on environment and society. This is even more true, if the destination considered has a fragile ecosystem. Associating the paradigm of sustainable development with the practice of cruise tourism might represent a solution to the problems faced by the industry. However, although cruise industry has apparently embraced sustainable good practices, a number of issues are still critical. This chapter explores the topic considering the case of Venice and its role as home port for cruise tourism in the Mediterranean area. Venice special legislation on tourist cruises and the debate on cruise ships in the Venetian lagoon are examined to highlight critical factors and remedies. Much remains to be done to balance the rapidly growing demand for cruising against its negative environmental impacts on this fragile city. The case of Venice shows how cruise tourism is a complex issue in relation to the sustainability paradigm. Indeed, the controversies stem from the different points of view of the various actors involved in the market-tourists, cruise companies, local administrations, suppliers, local companies and environmental and heritage protection associations just to mention a few-which identify benefits and costs of cruise industry in different ways and timespan.

Attitudes of the Local Population and Business Stakeholders on the Impact of Cruise Tourism on Destination

“…Limited perception and knowledge on sustainable development in Split were characteristic to both groups of respondents. According to [1], the perception of sustainable development that should reconcile the positive and negative eff ects of cruise tourism has not been noticed in any group. Based on the results of the research, the positive perception of local stakeholders necessary to create a common strategy for the development and management of this tourism sector [8] has not been achieved.…”

“…Pivcevic et al [18] believe that promotion, revenue, and job creation are the most pronounced positive impacts of cruise tourism, and the impact on stationary tourists is the most negative one. Linking the sustainable development paradigm to the cruise activity can provide a solution to the challenges that the industry is facing [1]. A focus on the perception of the local communities leads to more eff ective addressing of residents' issues [11].…”

Corporate social performance and non‐financial reporting in the cruise industry: Paving the way towards UN Agenda 2030

“…At the same time, this study can better support the dialogue between the cruise industry and policymakers with positive effects on their constructive collaboration and cooperation in the perspective of sustainability development. In fact, some authors have outlined the numerous criticisms and difficulties between the local community and the cruise industry, either in port of call or home port, where the cruise companies receive very negative opinions and face difficulties because of their high environmental, economic and social impacts, (Asero & Skonieczny, 2018; Ketz et al, 2019; Vayá et al, 2018), like for instance, the recent pressures from the movements of “No Grandi Navi”(No big ships) and “Italia Nostra” (Our Italy) in the Venetian lagoon (Asero & Skonieczny, 2018). For this reason, sustainability disclosure, specifically sustainability reporting, with also innovative way to communicate and legitimate the image and reputation of the cruise companies, should support the meeting between these actors, cruise companies and local communities and the overall stakeholders for thinking and building together effective but “sustainable” policies.…”

Cruise Port Performance Evaluation in the Context of Port Authority: An MCDA Approach

“…The pollution level in the port city and port surroundings can evaluate the environmental impact of cruises [44]. Cruise ships negatively influence the port environment, as highlighted by [45]. They believe that environmental challenges associated with cruises are an essential aspect of port development's long-term sustainability.…”