Sustainable tourism and mobility development in natural protected areas: Evidence from Apulia

The natural protected areas of a territory represent an essential instrument of environmental policy and, if adequately exploited, a significant added value resource for European Regions. The evaluation of adopted policies and the economic planning of these areas require an integrated approach that considers several factors. In this article, through the construction of several indicators, we analysed three large protected areas of the Apulia Region (Italy). Using data collected from regional and national reports, we investigated the status and policies activated by these protected areas, focusing on different aspects: namely, transport services (including soft mobility and transport infrastructures), tourism and territorial economic development. This paper should be of interest for natural areas that in recent decades have been affected by considerable tourism expansion but that have recently launched sustainable development and transport policies. The proposed policies for the analysed areas can be adopted by parks or reserves with similar characteristics.

Automated summary

Natural protected areas play a crucial role in environmental policy and can also serve as a significant added value resource for regions. Evaluating policies and planning economic development in these areas requires an integrated approach, with focus on factors such as transport, tourism, and economic development. This study specifically analyzes three protected areas in the Apulia Region of Italy and proposes policies that could be adopted by parks or reserves with similar characteristics.