ABSTRACT
Tourism is among the fastest growing industries of the new millennium. Thus, if well managed, it can significantly contribute to local economic growth, in many cases becoming an important engine of it. A large amount of literature exists in which its varied economic benefits are well-documented (see, for instance, the recent Balaguer and Cantavella, 2002; Durbarry, 2004; Nowak et al., 2007; Brida et al., 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011; Brida and Risso, 2009; Figini and Vici, 2010). However, concern has been growing in recent years as to its socio-economic and environmental impacts (see, for example, Saarinen 2006; Tisdell, 2001; Brohman, 1996; Smith and Eadington, 1992; Gursoy et al. 2002; Bimonte and Punzo, 2011, 2007; European Commission, 2007).
