This data is in contrast with that of traditional overnight hotel stays, which experienced a 19.9% fall from 2005 to 2008. It should be considered that in 62.9% of cases, the average stay does not exceed one week-end. The Ecotour Report outlined a profile of an eco-tourist which points to somebody between 16 and 30 years old, a good level of education and a preference for organizing holidays independently (62%). The prices of ecotourism holidays are of secondary importance among the reasons for choosing this kind of holiday, and the fundamental factor is the quality and authenticity of the products offered. The spending power of these tourists for each holiday corresponds to the price of ecotourism holidays available on the market. The keystone of ecotourism is food and wine: typical local products are discovered and guide tourists around the territory (wine and food routes, etc.). The Report also shows how a “farm situated near a Protected Area or a Nature Park makes
it significantly attractive to tourists on a national and international level”. The trend is toward offering holidays based on sport (for 46.4% of tourists), food and wine (15.2%) and local traditions (12.7%). Eco-tourists also want other activities available on their holiday: walking and trekking, cycle touring (mountain bikes and road bikes), wildlife observation, horse-riding, etc. regarding the place of origin of tourists in the target segment, against the background of a general decline in foreign visitors to Italy in almost all areas of tourism, the foreign visitor share of ecotourism is stable (37.4%), with a slight decline in visitors from Europe, compensated by an increase in those from the rest of the world. Finally, the data
presented at the International Nature Tourism Exchange indicate that 2009 saw a turnover of 10.7 billion euros, up 0.2% compared to 2008.
The ecotourism development of a territory is capable of activating different sources of income that may soften the impact of a decline in visitor numbers due to international crises. Indeed, socalled other income (diversification of farm activities) represents a buffer against the economic–financial shock that has also affected the tourism industry over recent years.
Cross-referencing this analysis of the ecotourism macro trend with the results collected in the RSAC, new scenarios were created for the sustainable development of the Medio Campidano system which activate a new economic driving force for the local system.