Author(s)

S. MENEGHELLO & E. MINGOTTO

Abstract

Fisheries-related tourism is developing in several European coastal regions as a product that, by linking fisheries to tourism, can be an answer both to the need to develop innovative tourism products and to the priority to find new sources of income for profitable and more sustainable fisheries. The paper discusses the main findings of a research project carried out by the authors about the potentials of pesca-tourism along Venetian coasts in Italy. It focusses on the opportunities coming from pesca-tourism in terms of additional income for fishermen, economic benefits on the destination due to new tourists’ spending, improvement in the quality of life and awareness about ecosystems’ fragility and sustainable development. In particular, the paper shows pesca-tourism potential for the area in the medium-long term, provided that a win-win cooperation is established among local stakeholders, tourism operators and fishermen. According to the findings, fisheries-related tourism represents a way of differentiating tourism products, by promoting a broader territorial experience with a positive economic return on various public and private players, together with a more sustainable approach towards tourism and fisheries development.

Keywords

coastal tourism, fisheries, fisheries-related tourism, ichtitourism, pesca-tourism, sustainable development