Tourism-related activities greatly contribute to environmental degradation and, at the same time, represent one of the mostvulnerable industries, considering that these activities are based on the availability of natural ecosystems in good conditionand accessible to tourists. Circular Economy (CE) is considered an efficient way to overcome critical environmental impactsand natural resources scarcity in different sectors. It aims to overcome the take-make-dispose linear pattern of productionand consumption, proposing a circular system in which the value of products, materials, and resources is maintained in theeconomy as long as possible. However, the application of the concept in the tourism sector is still unexplored and moreefforts should be done to understand the potentialities of Circular Tourism. To implement CE principles, the Italiangovernment has proposed the development of Ecologically Equipped Productive Area (EEPA). EEPA is a business cluster, inwhich firms share the objective of environmental sustainability. The present study tries to figure out how to apply CEconcepts and practices in the tourism sector and to illustrate a project aiming at defining a EEPA in a tourist cluster. Theresearch objective is to identify CE principles and business models applicable in the tourism sector, with a specific focus onthe EEPA development.
From linear to circular tourism: the case study of an Italian Ecologically Equipped Productive Area
Alessia Acampora;
2018-01-01
Abstract
Tourism-related activities greatly contribute to environmental degradation and, at the same time, represent one of the mostvulnerable industries, considering that these activities are based on the availability of natural ecosystems in good conditionand accessible to tourists. Circular Economy (CE) is considered an efficient way to overcome critical environmental impactsand natural resources scarcity in different sectors. It aims to overcome the take-make-dispose linear pattern of productionand consumption, proposing a circular system in which the value of products, materials, and resources is maintained in theeconomy as long as possible. However, the application of the concept in the tourism sector is still unexplored and moreefforts should be done to understand the potentialities of Circular Tourism. To implement CE principles, the Italiangovernment has proposed the development of Ecologically Equipped Productive Area (EEPA). EEPA is a business cluster, inwhich firms share the objective of environmental sustainability. The present study tries to figure out how to apply CEconcepts and practices in the tourism sector and to illustrate a project aiming at defining a EEPA in a tourist cluster. Theresearch objective is to identify CE principles and business models applicable in the tourism sector, with a specific focus onthe EEPA development.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
