A Roadmap for the Sustainable Valorization of Accessible Underwater Cultural Heritage Sites
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. The BLUEMED Model
2.1. The BLUEMED Pilot Sites
2.2. BLUEMED Outcomes
3. A Roadmap to Implement the BLUEMED Model
3.1. Mapping, Assessment, and Selection of Site(s)
3.2. Potential for Sustainable Tourism Development
- The diving centers are critical for the implementation of the model, as their services contribute to both the sustainable operation of the site and the enhancement of recreational diving tourism. In the first case, the diving centers provide diving equipment or training to scuba divers and may organize guided diving or snorkeling tours at the site. In the second case, they can offer a variety of blue activities, such as canoeing, SUP (stand up paddle-boarding), etc., in the area and promote the sites at their facilities or on their websites by hosting digital applications.
- When the operation of an AUCHS is combined with other points of cultural interest and natural beauty on land (museums, monuments, parks etc.) or in sea (an underwater marine park), the area can become a popular destination for divers and cultural tourists. A variety of blue and green activities, such as diving, hiking, biking, climbing, caving, swimming, yachting, etc. highlight the natural surroundings, while occasions such as local festivals may attract a wider audience to the area. Through their visit to the KAC, the local museums, or the different service providers (diving centers, travel agencies, etc.) the visitors will find out about the AUCHS.
- Tourism infrastructure and quality services enhance tourism development in the area and, therefore, the viable operation of the site. Infrastructure includes accommodation (e.g., hotels, rooms to let, campsites etc.), food services (restaurants, supermarkets etc.), sports facilities, health care (hospitals, health clinics, pharmacies etc.), banking, and other services (telecommunications, car rental, etc.). In addition, transport possibilities by air, land, and sea, supported by a variety of means of local travel (bus, taxi, and car, moto, or bike rentals), and sufficient parking facilities, facilitate accessibility and mobility in the area and the visitors’ stay. Quality services and well-trained staff are also essential, as divers and cultural travelers are interested in cultural and ecological issues and expect to receive relevant information. Therefore, the staff at the AUCHS (security guards, ticket clerks), the diving centers, and the KACs should be able to provide detailed historical, archaeological, and environmental information in an engaging way, to attract visitors.
3.3. Stakeholders’ Engagement
3.4. Performance Assessment and Operational Framework
3.5. Integration of AR and VR Technologies
3.6. Knowledge Awareness Centers
4. The Implementation of the BLUEMED Model in Alonissos, Greece
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Type of Indicator | KPIs for AUCHS Validation |
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Environmental/Ecological |
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Cultural |
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Social (including Governance/Education) |
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Financial (including Sustainable Tourism) |
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Manglis, A.; Fourkiotou, A.; Papadopoulou, D. A Roadmap for the Sustainable Valorization of Accessible Underwater Cultural Heritage Sites. Heritage 2021, 4, 4700-4715. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040259
Manglis A, Fourkiotou A, Papadopoulou D. A Roadmap for the Sustainable Valorization of Accessible Underwater Cultural Heritage Sites. Heritage. 2021; 4(4):4700-4715. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040259
Chicago/Turabian StyleManglis, Angelos, Anastasia Fourkiotou, and Dimitra Papadopoulou. 2021. "A Roadmap for the Sustainable Valorization of Accessible Underwater Cultural Heritage Sites" Heritage 4, no. 4: 4700-4715. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040259