Policy Strategies for the Mitigation of GHG Emissions caused by the Mass-Tourism Mobility in Coastal Areas

Several studies on the relationship between tourism transport and CO2 emissions have shown that the transport sector generates the largest proportion of emissions, accounting for 75% of overall emissions. These studies have also shown how the measures to reduce these emissions vary according to the different tourist destinations. Accordingly, this paper focuses on the impacts of mass-tourism mobility on the transport system of a prototypal Mediterranean coastal city. Conscious of the fact that not all Mediterranean maritime cities are the same, this work identifies the three major characteristics (urban structure, environmental fragility and cultural heritage) that influence – negatively or positively – tourism and the transport sector. The aim of this paper is to develop an original taxonomy of the best transport practices for reducing the congestion effect and GHG emissions, which is adapted to the prototypal coastal city and in line with its historical and environmental value