The Mediterranean Sea: Between the Coastline...and the Hinterland: A Review through the Astmed Conferences

The sea, and the economic, social and cultural world around it, has changed a lot in a few decades. If we just focus on tourism, it has been pointed out how the coastline has gradually shifted from a symbolic socio-cultural “showcase” to a possible element of union for different coasts and social systems.

Even the idea of “tourist destination” has changed considerably: it has left more space to the one of “tourist region”, to be considered as a larger territory able to offer peculiar and integrated products. This new meaning, therefore, includes not only the coastline but also the hinterland on the one hand and the maritime and intercoastal tourism on the other.

The Mediterranean region is notoriously characterized by an historical and cultural complexity that makes a unique image impossible. On the other hand, there is also the impression that this sea represents a common physical and symbolic heritage not only for the Mediterranean countries but also for all the people who cross and enjoy it.

How has the way of seeing the Mediterranean Sea changed in recent decades? Which focuses of attention have been decreasing and which ones have been increasing? In which countries or regions?

This proposal starts from these questions for a historiographical and sociological reflection through the last six ASTMed conferences (Ravenna 2001, Thessaloniki 2005, Granada 2008, Sassari-Alghero 2011, Arcavacata di Rende 2014, Kotor 2019 and Bertinoro 2024). As regards the research tools, the publications resulting from these conferences will be used together with some bibliographic databases and some interviews with ASTMed Board members or former members as key-informants.