The selected marina is in a small town nearby a national park listed by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. It is s situated at the mouth of a river, sandy beaches with ‘moving’ dunes and coastal lakes. Apart from the pure nature, the attractiveness of the marina is based on cultural and ship building heritage dating back to the medieval times.
There are several stakeholders in the marina. The marina operator is a private company partnering with the city. The main partnerships in the marina are formed between local public authorities and entrepreneurs. There is a high-quality restaurant also events as well as a seasonal grill-bar. Accommodation can be found in two lodging buildings and companies offering equipment rentals. It also offers a camping site, a car park for motorhomes, a spacious car park, a sauna. There is also a well-developed cooperation with local community, which results in co-organisation of kitesurfing and windsurfing competitions, concerts, picnics, and other outdoor activities.
The marina is well developed and located in a well-established recreational area with
attractions. The main target group are the recreational boaters, day trippers and overnight visitors, and since recently the caravan owners. However, the investments and mode of operation introduced have as the objective to prolong the season and attract different target groups. Therefore, the target groups have been enlarged to encompass local residents, cyclists, families with children, active couples, and international tourists. Special interest groups should be considered in the future.
The stakeholders aim at concentrating on the existing offer and improve marketing activities, which now are considered as the aspects that hinder the development of the marina. In addition, the stakeholders consider crucial to do several infrastructural improvements in the marina: waste management, condition of the access route, possibility to empty the septic tank and offer services connected to repairs/spare parts for boats.
Reconstruction of the piers, deepening the marina, renovation of sanitary facilities for sailors are the most crucial investments that should be made in the close future.
The stakeholders rate high the sustainability in the marina. However, there are no certification schemes. Environmental sustainability is associated with a wide range of aspects from energy saving via waste and water management to local/organic consumption. The most important environmental aspects in the marina are energy saving appliances, monitoring the water consumption, water and waste management and hazardous waste disposal. Local and/or organic food are important, particularly for the marina’s restaurant and seasonal grill bar.
The economic sustainability is of huge priority for the stakeholders, for example prolonging the tourism season. Emphasis is put on promoting the marina, its services and the local enterprises and communicating the sustainability actions to the public. More trainings related to these themes would be beneficial. The stakeholders consider cooperating with the local community in developing the services as crucial, which couples with the strong need of developing a business strategy that could increase its economic sustainability.
The stakeholders consider important various socio-cultural aspects in marina development.
Various cultural events respect the cultural heritage and promote the local traditions.
Integrating the local community in tourism development and local actors (e.g., food producers and crafters) into other business activities is deemed important in the future.
Highlights
- The marina is situated in a small town and in a recreational area near a nature-protected area
- Natural and cultural heritage are the key attractive factors
- A private company collaborating with the municipality operates at the marina - Public-private partnerships are important
- The marina includes a restaurant, a seasonal grill-bar, accommodation options such
- Infrastructure development: waste management, condition of the access route, septic tank empty possibility and services connected to repairs/spare parts for boat, reconstruction of the piers, deepening the marina, renovation of sanitary facilities - Communicating sustainability is important.
- Cooperation with the local community is essential. Respecting local cultural heritage and local food is important.
- A business strategy for the marina should be developed 4.6 Common challenges of the marinas
First and foremost, we have to mention seasonality. All the key stakeholders have pointed out how their marinas are very much affected by the short summer season. Just a couple of marinas have pointed out that they have the possibility to offer different services also in winter. However, these services are strictly correlated to the very essence of their organisation. For instance, in one of the Polish marinas, the key actor is the Academy of Physical Education and sports in Gdansk: training services can be offered throughout the year. A similar situation can be found in Estonia, in some of the destinations where the access by road and sea is open throughout the year: therefore, the local restaurant and accommodation are available regardless of the season. However, it is worth to notice that, despite these two exceptions, the very same marinas state a wide difference between the number of visitors in the high and low seasons.
A second challenge is related to the need of investments and funding. Generally speaking, investments is stated by all stakeholders interviewed. The type of investments could be shortly summarised in three different categories. First of all, there is always a need for more infrastructure. A wastewater pipeline, as well as more accessible route to the marinas, are often indicated as top priorities. Particularly, the accessibility to the marinas is related not only to land route, when applicable, but also to the dredging of the fairways, especially in areas that are affected by streams and collect sediments.
A second type of investments is related to the expansion, maintenance and improvement of the marinas and its services. In this category, increasing the number of the docks, as well as providing the guests with more services, such as a gas station and service buildings are considered a priority. At the same time, some of the marinas would need to undergo a heavy renovation of the premises to better attract and perhaps increase the number of visitors.
Finally, the last category, tightly linked to the previous ones, consists in “environmental investments”. All the stakeholders report that they provide some sort of green services, usually electricity powered by solar energy. However, they all affirm that they would like to improve the situation with further investments on this sector. It seems there are two reasons for this commitment. On the one hand, it would help reducing the costs of running certain services of the marinas. On the other hand, all the stakeholders recognised how boaters have become more and more aware of ecological issues. Therefore, an improvement of an already green image of the marinas, would help in attracting more visitors.
It is interesting to notice how, even though the identified marinas are all in remote destinations, there seems to be a broad difference between an “on-land” and “island”
location. Based on the interviews, it seems that the island destinations are facing additional challenges, especially when it comes to infrastructure available, funding and accessibility.
Some of the stakeholders have also pointed out how remote destinations face challenges due to the limitation of the service providers. For instance, it was mentioned that the collection of waste on an island is provided by only one company, with no possibility to choose a different one: the level of service was reported as not adequate and has created issues with the visitors of the marinas.
The need of investments is challenged by two main issues: the lack of funding and the challenges in creating a common business model for all the actors. As mentioned earlier, the local authorities are often the ones providing funding to improve the infrastructure, either through direct funding or through project applications (mainly through EU funded projects). However, it is very difficult to keep up with the demands and create an overreaching plan to please all actors involved.
This last issue is tightly connected to a third challenge, related to the expansion of the marina’s operation. All the stakeholders interviewed seemed to be aware of the need of a balance between the economic growth to survive, as opposed to the preservation of the local environment. Attracting more visitors could benefit the local entrepreneurs, but it also means creating an additional threat to the environment that is generally seen as one of the main points of attraction. The balance among these factors - that is to say, economic growth, protection of the environment and infrastructure - is widely considered difficult to obtain and of concern for the future planning.
The cooperation with the local community is correlated with everything discussed so far and has been identified as a fourth type of challenge. All the marinas have a history of cultural heritage that they want to protect and promote, in a balance like the one previously described. The involvement of the local community is considered as a key factor. Not only they are important for the growth of the marinas itself, as active actors, but they also need to be included in decision making to create a common goal, without which it would not be possible to improve the sustainability and services offered to the visitors. However, this also poses some threats when it comes to the planning and the harmonising all requests.
Finally, the fifth, common challenge is the marketing and promotion. This issue seems to be quite widespread and is considered as a high priority. According to some of the stakeholders, it should be even more important than the actual investments, since the problem of being visible is perhaps enough to increase the number of visitors. Once again, collaboration between the different actors of the marinas, and the local community, is a key for success of all marketing efforts. At the same time they also want to attract guests from abroad, not only from partnership countries, but with a particular eye towards
To sum it up (Figure 2), although different areas of the Baltic Sea were investigated, marinas located in remote and rural destinations face similar challenges. While these challenges influence each other, it is beneficial to identify and analyze them individually in order to highlight useful recurring themes and link them to sustainable development in tourism.
The seasonality seems to have a major impact on the activities that can be carried out and on provided services. Extending the sailing season, as well as creating new activities and services for the winter are presented as possible mitigation measures.
Moreover, investing in infrastructure and in services are very important in order to provide both accessibility and increase the number of visitors in the marinas. However, funding and disputes among different actors are difficult issues to solve. The role of local authorities is crucial both as a guiding force and as a driver for the funding.
The need of investments is tightly connected with the balance between the need for an expansion of the marina operations and the preservation of the local environment. While this issue is acknowledged by most of the stakeholders, an actual solution is yet to be identified. In fact, no details are given on finding balance and how to cope with opposing impulses towards both extremes.
In addition, from the perspective of the stakeholders, each of the marinas have a long history and cultural heritage. This means it is important to include the local community in planning the infrastructure and investments, as well as preserving the natural and cultural heritage. All of this while promoting the marina itself.
Finally, the very same promotion and marketing of the marinas is seen as a very important factor for improving and further developing the area. It has been stated that being visible is perhaps more important than investments. Training is needed with a common vision with different destination in the Baltic Sea as a starting point to improve the current situation.
4.7 Sustainable development in marinas
The challenges described above are all linked to the four dimensions of sustainable tourism development: environmental, economic, political, and socio-cultural sustainability. The interviews confirmed some of the expectations we had, based on previous studies and research (e.g., Renfors, 2020). In addition, it is noteworthy to mention that these four dimensions are interconnected, as they influence each other in a mutual way.
According to the stakeholders, environmental sustainability is an important aspect for the
Seasonality
• Short summer season
• Services in winter
Investments
Funding and common business model for:
• Infrastructures
• Service improvements
• Environmental investments
Expansion
• Balance between economic growth and preservation of the environment
Cooperation with the local community
• Cultural heritage to protect and promote
• Inclusion in the decision making
• Common goals
Marketing and promotion
• Being visible
• Attract domestic and foreign visitors
Figure 2. Summary of the challenges facing marinas
understood in a restrictive way, meaning the installation of resource efficient investments, rather than in its broader definition. Moreover, some stakeholders stated they were concerned about the balance between environmental sustainability and economic growth. More visitors would help the economic situation in the marinas, but it is opposed by concerns about the condition of the Baltic Sea.
Economic sustainability concerns stakeholders. With a short season and the need for different kind of investments, marinas are facing challenges to keep operating and services running. Accessibility, in the broader definition described above, is of major concern, as well as the maintenance and the expansion of the marinas’ services. In addition to environmental concerns, stakeholders seem to highlight challenges related to both funding and cooperation. With limited resources, investments need to be carefully planned.
Cooperation is needed for planning between the local authorities, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and other local actors to achieve the best possible outcome. However, the stakeholders stated that this is a real challenge, as it is difficult for all the actors to agree to a common business plan. Despite the common benefit they would receive, sometimes personal interests in one’s own organisation are considered more significant.
This latest issue is strongly connected to the political dimension of sustainability. Whereas the cooperation of public and private sector is highly acknowledged, and considered a crucial part of the sustainable development of the marinas, its actual implementation faces numerous challenges. Local authorities (mainly municipalities) have a huge impact on the development of the marinas as they plan and often implement projects. In addition, local authorities might be the main financial contributors to the development of the marinas, not only by investing in infrastructures, but also with direct funding to local enterprises or services, as well as a point of convergence for project funding applications. Once again, the need of cooperation between public and private sector, as well as the need for a common business model, is hindered by the same challenges mentioned in the economic sustainability dimension.
Finally, the socio-cultural dimension is the least mentioned among the dimension of sustainability. Based on their cultural heritage, all the marinas have some sort of heritage that they are willing to protect. Some of the marinas are still linked to their fishing heritage, with markets and attractions, while others have developed around new, more family friendly, forms of attraction. While all the stakeholders have stated the importance of involving the local community in the decision making and in the development of the marinas, very few actions have been taken.
To sum it up (Figure 3), although with different degrees of importance, all dimensions of sustainability are acknowledged and addressed by the stakeholders. First of all, concerning the environmental sustainability, it is stated how it is important not only to reduce the operational costs but also to attract visitors, who, according to the stakeholders, have become more and more aware of ecological issues. However, it seems that this dimension is often limited to the implementation of resource efficiency investments in the marinas, reducing a broad concept to a simpler and narrower element.
The economic dimension of sustainability is tightly related to the previous one as the stakeholders find it crucial to balance economic growth and preservation of the environment. However, the accessibility to the marina as well as the need for common planning and funding are regarded as the main issues related to this dimension.
This is further complicated by the political dimension of sustainability and the challenges in the cooperation between the public and private sector. While the former is highly regarded as a driver force for the development of the marina, the private sector has an important part in attracting visitors to the marina. Therefore, this mixture of different needs makes it difficult to find a balance.
Finally, the socio-cultural dimension is the least considered. Not much has been done in this direction, rather than just pointing out the necessity of involving the local communities in the decision-making as well as in the economic growth and environmental preservation of the areas.
Figure 3. Importance of dimensions of sustainable development in tourism for the stakeholders
Environmental
5 Summary
The following table (Table 1) summarises the key findings of this study. It presents an overview of the current situation in costal and maritime tourism in the Baltic Sea, with a focus on marinas as sustainable tourism destinations.
This study on the current situation of marinas in remote and rural destinations in the Baltic Sea has provided useful insights for integrating marinas into regional tourism development and fostering sustainable tourism. It has enabled to experience first-hand what is the state of play of sustainable coastal and maritime tourism and what are the challenges these marinas face.
It can be concluded that Baltic Sea marinas are attractive tourism destinations, not only for boaters, but a variety of target groups. Local residents, second-home owners, same day and overnight visitors visit marinas for various purposes. Depending on the location of the marina and its service level, they also attract international visitors mainly from the neighbouring countries. The number of international visitors is also expected to grow.
To further develop marinas as sustainable tourism destinations, a common vision, a business strategy and a sustainable business model are needed. Profitable target groups should be identified and more entrepreneurs are needed in the service industry: restaurants, accommodation services, different leisure activities and other related services: equipment rentals, organised day trips or sightseeing tours, events and entertainment, sauna and SPA services, shops, and kiosks for recreational boaters to purchase groceries or boat spare parts.
Therefore, more collaboration is essential to develop the marinas, increase their competitiveness and attract more visitors in the future. Currently, cooperation is established between enterprises or between enterprises and local authorities. The role of the municipality and public-private sector partnerships is crucial and this should be strengthened. This is important since there is an obvious need for more infrastructure and
Therefore, more collaboration is essential to develop the marinas, increase their competitiveness and attract more visitors in the future. Currently, cooperation is established between enterprises or between enterprises and local authorities. The role of the municipality and public-private sector partnerships is crucial and this should be strengthened. This is important since there is an obvious need for more infrastructure and