This study provides a conceptual framework for coastal systems, based on the schematic characterisation of benefits and threats between coastal tourism (CT), other human activities (HA) and coastal ecosystem services (CES). Here we consider the study in the North Adriatic Sea, where impacts and pressures from and to coastal tourism are analysed geospatially, integrated into a single combined framework. For this purpose, 11 coastal ecosystem types with their main ESCs were identified. These were analysed qualitatively through scientific papers. On the other hand, 21 recreational coastal activities were identified, the analysis of which was based on a survey where swimming and sunbathing stand out. In terms of threats, three are added to Davies and Cahill’s (2000) proposal of invasive species and noise and light pollution. Such a classification can be applied to other coastal areas of European seas. The analysis was also based on a literature review. The proposed conceptual framework and the threat analysis provided a tool to address the trade-offs between TC and the other HAs. This tool is able to provide valuable information to identify areas with the highest commitment to coastal tourism and furthermore supports decision makers and managers of coastal areas.
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