Avid readers find in literature real or imaginary scenarios, which are written in such a way that make them visit the portrayed places. The same goes for films, or documentary series, where the narrator plays a fundamental role in captivating the viewer. Both means are inductors of cultural and/or nature tourism, regardless of everyone's personal motivations. The transmission of values is important and varies over time. In the past some marine animals were perceived negatively by humans, which has faded over time. Ecotourism with activities related to the sea is a relatively recent tourism niche. Nature films or series are often boosters of impulses in tourists for the search for natural, unexplored places or places with little human pressure. Some tourist activities in the nature tourism line developed all over the world—from this induction—such as the cases of diving and observation of marine animals.
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Coastal areas and the sea are places that attract people, whether for relaxation or leisure. Summer holidays are often chosen by households to tour along the beach, to enjoy the natural beauty of the coast. One of the sources to captivate people in many of these tourist choices is the fact that suggestions made by films and documentaries or by literature related to the sea and coastal areas (Hofman & Hughes, 2018). Certain places become iconic for their natural beauty or for certain peculiarities that characterize them. Some species of living beings are particularly important and serve as calling cards for these places (Mazzoldi et al., 2019).
In this way, these literary pieces, documentaries, or films thus have a certain influence on the decisions of individuals and amplify tourist visits to many of these places (Hoppen et al., 2014). When there is an increase in tourist flow to a location after a film has been shot there, it usually means that tourism is induced by the film (Beeton, 2006). Visiting certain places can also occur incidentally (Macionis & Sparks, 2009).
These works must have concepts that people grasp in a positive way, and thus become effective in the development of sustainable tourism related to the sea and coastal areas. In this aspect there is always the reverse of the issue. On the one hand, it is important that people spend their free time or holidays in leisure activities related to coastal areas, thus increasing demand, and making the tourism sector more robust. On the other hand, the great tourist demand of these areas puts their carrying capacity and the species that inhabit them to the test (Cater, 2010).
Literature and films play a fundamental role in people's emotions, learning, acquisition of knowledge, influencing human beings from an early age (Frevert et al., 2014). Literature and films in their various aspects are two cultural elements of learning in people as citizens who interact with their surroundings (Salomon, 2012). The ability of each person to interact positively with their surroundings is therefore greatly influenced by the information they receive from the sensory side and the ability to assimilate and transform daily. Literature and films are inductors of this sensory capacity (van Leeuwen, 2011). The environment, such as marine life in its immensity of organisms, biodiversity, ecosystem balance and its particularities, are key elements for a balanced and sustainable planet. The human being in all its aspects and its dignity contribute to this balance (Attenborough, 2020).
Tourism has for some time been a growing industry with considerable weight in the world economy (Mak, 2003). However, the pandemic crisis reshaped the tourism economy (Yang et al., 2020). Regardless of adverse factors, tourist activities generate jobs, qualify labor, and contribute positively to the trade balance of many developing countries. Tourism activities – in general – improve the standard of living of many communities, whether coastal, inland or mountain (Denny et al., 2019). Tourism is also an activity that cuts across all human beings and its enjoyment – at least at some point in their lives – demonstrates everyone's right to leisure and dignity (Bélanger & Jolin, 2011).
Sustainable tourism is increasingly important because it is governed by concepts of resilience and intergenerational legacy (Vu et al., 2020). Tourism – whether triggered by literature or induced by cinematography –, particularly about the marine world, will be even more sustainable and with a future legacy, the more conscious and responsible it is (Sakellari, 2014).
The stereotype for today's tourist is that they are increasingly aware of the problems plaguing the planet – namely microplastics, overfishing, climate change, pollution – and as a tourist they will tend to act more sustainably, reflecting on their daily routine and reducing its carbon footprint (Rico et al., 2019). The transferability of knowledge of the living and natural world derived from literature and cinematography plays a fundamental role in influencing citizens and their proactivity (Cynthia & Beeton, 2009). At sea, diving tourism (Ramos et al., 2006) and marine animal observation (Bentz et al., 2016) are the most sought after in all latitudes. In general, the tourism sector capitalizes on all these synergies (Steiner & Reisinger, 2006).