Evolving the perspectives on the value of gastronomy for Mediterranean destination development

The book series “Tourism Studies on the Mediterranean Region” is launched by the Institute of Studies on the Mediterranean (CNR-ISMed) with the ambitious goal to address the main research gaps currently present in tourism studies focused on the Mediterranean Region. This Region embraces countries with different cultures, religions, economies, and speed of development. Main challenges include migration crises, demographic pressures, sustainable development, water scarcity, desertification, excessive urbanization, food insecurity. In this respect, tourism is a sector that can support a more balanced development of all Mediterranean countries. Indeed, if adequately planned and managed, tourism is able to generate positive impacts on the economy, culture, and society as well as to enhance differences and strengthen common elements, so as to creating a positive balance between a positive fragmentation and a strong connection and avoiding the marginalization of the less developed areas. Although the scientific community and stakeholders recognize the key role of tourism in the development of Mediterranean countries, a clear understanding of the peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses of this sector in the Region is still missing. The book series “Tourism Studies on the Mediterranean Region” proposes an integrated analysis of how geopolitical, socio-economic and cultural variables interact with tourism activities in the Area.