Department of Planning and Regional Development, School of Engineering, University of Thessaly Pedion Areos, 38334 Volos, Greece, Tel: +302421074462, e-mail: regiolab@prd.uth.gr, http://www.prd.uth.gr Available online at: http://www.prd.uth.gr/research/DP/2009/uth-prd-dp-2009-6_en.pdf Discussion Paper Series, 15(6): 119-138 Managing Wetlands – Tourism Interactions Athanassios Sfougaris Assistant Professor, Laboratory of Ecosystem and Biodiversity Management, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, e-mail:asfoug@agr.uth.gr Dimitrios Pikios Student, Laboratory of Ecosystem and Biodiversity Management, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, e- mail:dpikios@yahoo.gr Olga Christopoulou Associate Professor, Department of Planning and Regional Development, School of Engineering, University of Thessaly, e-mail:ochris@prd.uth.gr Angelos Kotios Professor, Department of Planning and Regional Development University of Thessaly e-mail: akotios@prd.uth.gr Panagiotis Plageras Professor, Technological Educational Institute of Larissa Abstract This paper analyses and evaluates the interactions between wetlands and tourism and proposes ways and methods for the mitigation of the effects of massive tourism on coastal wetlands. Wetland functions, mapping and monitoring methods and the characteristics of tourism in the Mediterranean coastal areas are presented. Guidelines for the mitigation of effects of tourism infrastructures, consumption of natural resources and pollution on coastal and marine environment are proposed. Using the case of Koukounaries wetland in Skiathos Island as an example, the advantages of ecotourism for the conservation of wetlands and local economy are analysed. Key words: Wetlands, management, tourism, mitigation, ecotourism January 2009