ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF CRUISE TOURISM: EXPLORING MITIGATION CASE STUDIES IN MAJOR PORTS

Cruise tourism has transformed into a separate industry with unique characteristics and has contributed to developing a new tourism product clearly distinguished from passenger maritime transportation.This new product has led to new economic benefits not only for the operating shipping firms, but also for the local communities at the ports of call along the travel/cruise itinerary driving socio-economic growth.Despite these beneficial effects, cruise tourism has raised many concerns among local communities due to the inflicted environmental pressures on resources and ecosystems.Energy and water consumption, waste management, marine pollution, traffic and noise burden are the main topics of dispute that ports have to consider in their development strategies.To allay these concerns, major ports around the world, mainly in cruise intensive destinations, have implemented strategies, policies, plans and measures to alleviate or pre-empt any negative effects that could impose not only on the natural environment, but also on the well-being of residents.This review explores case studies of the measures undertaken to mitigate environmental impact due to cruise tourism around the ports and highlights some common practices.While ports are still testing measures and technologies more investment is necessary to create a positive impact.