Tourism Ecosystem Domains

The study deals with the effects of tourism promoted by European Union public investment policies. Tourism is considered as a cross-cutting area topic that receives strategies and funds aimed at promoting socio-economic development and enhancing resources in marginal areas. While it is true that an increase in attractiveness leads to an increase in tourist flows and demand for goods and services, the actual positive impact in terms of territorial capital growth and increased quality of life for residents remains uncertain. Following significant funding and the implementation of a specialized tourism policy, the current indicators used to monitor investment reconstruct a scenario that is poorly articulated with regard to potential externalities. The paper argues that tourism cannot be evaluated solely from an economic or environmental point of view, but has to be considered as a relational phenomenon involving different actors and disciplines. The use of an integrated and multidisciplinary framework based on the network of relationships between the interested parties allow for a more precise and complete assessment of the impact of tourism on the territory, thus providing a solid basis for the development of tourism policies and strategies based on sustainability principles.