Seascapes under stress: tourism and marine pollution in the Mediterranean and Malaysia

Tourism is one of the world's top three economic activities, accounting directly or indirectly for at least 200 million jobs. A large proportion of tourism is concentrated in coastal regions. The Mediterranean, for example, attracts about one third of all tourism worldwide. But what impact does tourism have on the environment? Is it destroying its own prime attractions? In the final report from a project involving detailed studies on Malaysia and the Mediterranean, Richard Tapper of the Environment Business and Development Group, draws together key findings and gives a guided tour of the issues. His report recommends urgent action to reconcile tourism development with environmental protection.