Sustainable Destination Management
Strategies in the OIC Member Countries
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What can be learned from this case study is that destinations must plan to avoid over tourism
before a crisis situation actually occurs. New destinations need to equally focus on sustainable
growth, which managing and improving services.
Although Italy has taken steps forward in this direction, a better coordination is still needed
between national and regional authorities for the effective implementation of policies and
promotion, and to avoid the duplicate efforts. Better communication channels have to be
established between the private and public sector to develop sustainable policies in the interest
of all stakeholders.
Regions and municipalities should take further steps towards measuring tourists’ impact on the
environment by using quantity as well as quality indicators. Studies on ecological footprint, for
example, provide a framework for assessment of civil and industry capacity for tourism growth.
They can be the basis on which to set environmental impact protection goals in the destination
regarding future tourism. This helps gather quantified information that can be processed and
provide the host community with a valuable tool to help making decisions regarding tourism
activities in the area, such as whether or not to change or manage an offer or restrict the number
of visitors in an area.310
310 Patterson, T., Niccolucci, V., & Bastianoni, S., (2007). Beyond “more is better”: Ecological footprint accounting for tourism
and consumption in val di merse, italy. Ecological Economics. 62(3-4), 747-756.