Torre Guaceto’s management uses community engagement and tourism as a tool to help support the MPA both financially and through public awareness. The Torre Guaceto Visitor Centre was created and operates with the intended purpose of engaging with tourists, schools, and the local communities. The Centre hosts regular trekking excursions, wildlife watching activities, and snorkelling and sailing lessons. Additionally, as part of a collaborative project with WWF-Italy, the MPA has a turtle rehab and education Centre intended to increase the public and tourist’s knowledge of sea turtle habitat throughout the Mediterranean.

The Area Marina Protetta di Torre Guaceto is a regular feature of local tours like the “Discover the Valle d’ltria (Trulli land)” tour hosted by the Vito Maurogiovanni Tour Guide. These tours include the MPA as well as other points of historical interest throughout Puglia. Along with traditional tours, Torre Guaceto has a public beach which is heralded as one of the very best in the region which is regularly flocked to on summer weekends by both tourists and locals alike. 

As all points of public engagement with the MPA are funnelled through the Visitor Centre each visitor to the MPA has access to information about the incredible biological diversity and importance of the space as well as the rules for use which help protect it. Torre Guaceto is purposefully designed as an accessible space for both tourists and local residents alike making it a sustainable and equitable example of tourism and conservation.

Yes! There are currently four main conservation goals for Torre Guaceto’s management. One of which is the “Promotion of socio-economic development compatible with the aims of the reserve alongside existing traditional activities.” For Torre Guaceto this includes the continuation of existing conservation projects like the collaborative sea turtle monitoring program as well as the development of new collaborative programs to engage the public and tourists in monitoring for invasive species.

Maintaining equitability between local access and tourism is a key factor in the success of Torre Guaceto. This should be a priority for other protected areas around the world who have local communities who regularly access the intended protected space, therefore, increasing willingness to abide by protective regulations within both local residents as well as short term visitors. Programs which engage both user groups should be a priority for protected areas seeking to emulate Torre Guaceto’s model of tourism and conservation.