Nautical tourism is a complex system comprehending different transport components (infrastructures, services and demand). Touristic ports represent a primary facility to perform nautical tourism activities. Despite its relevance, nautical tourism is an under-exploited research area. Information on demand and supply (infrastructures and services) is needed in order to support maritime planning. The main objective of the paper is to analyse the main data and quantitative linking between nautical

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... ourism variables and regional population. The focus is on the specific case study of Italian regions. In order to reach the objective, the paper investigates different data sources relative to nautical tourism in Italy. A classification of available variables is performed in relation to transport system components and in relation to the level of territorial regional aggregation. The paper presents a first step of research on nautical tourism. Available data sources focused in this paper represent a starting point of a transport planning process supported by quantitative analyses. In fact, obtained results show some characteristics of the current situation but further developments are needed.