Sustainable tourism in Greece Problems for sustainable tourism development (2).doc (original) (raw)

Sustainable Tourism in Western Thessaly of Greece

Tourism is one of the main leisure activities of individuals and in recent decades appears as a multifaceted phenomenon with social, economic, environmental, and further dimensions. It represents a multi-sector contributor to the economy at the global nation, regional and local level and is marked as a decisive course of development in many areas, both the developed and the developing world. Particularly for Greece, amid at the current crisis, the development of tourism is a strategic objective of high priority contemporary tourism policy for the country required to connect and combine tourism with actions related to prevention of environmental impacts from such process, with technological improvements, public awareness, public information, and participation (community, Non Governmental Organizations). In the present study the underlying needs for the development of alternative tourism degraded in generally Western Thessaly. In the literature approaching the recording of some important but dormant for the time being, comparative advantages, the study concludes that the place can play an important role in tourism products, not only in Greece but also in the region.

13. Sustainable Tourism: Utopia or Necessity? The Role of New Forms of Tourism in the Aegean Islands

Coastal Mass Tourism

Tourism is a major activity in the Greek islands. Its development during recent decades has stopped the economic and demographic decline of the area. The paper develops a framework for the appraisal of tourism's sustainability in the Greek islands, and it is concluded that the conventional tourist model, based on sun, sea and sand (3S) has failed to promote sustainability due to the limited economic benefits for host communities and growing environmental pressures. The latest trend in Greece and elsewhere is a shift from mass tourism to more environmentally friendly and sustainable forms of tourism. Policies to change tourism patterns in the Greek islands will need to take into consideration their unique characteristics, their existing realities, and to be based on the exploitation of the local natural and cultural resources in order to develop new forms of tourism. The purpose of this paper is to identify types of new forms of tourism that are being developed in the Aegean Islands, and to evaluate their impact. Various practical examples are presented, together with the difficulties involved in their implementation. The initiatives are in fact so recent that it is difficult to assess their tangible results.

Sustainable Tourism: Utopia or Necessity? The Role of New Forms of Tourism in the Aegean Islands

Tourism is a major activity in the Greek islands. Its development during recent decades has stopped the economic and demographic decline of the area. The paper develops a framework for the appraisal of tourism's sustainability in the Greek islands,and it is concluded that the conventional tourist model,based on sun,sea and sand (3S) has failed to promote sustainability due to the limited economic benefits for host commu- nities and growing environmental pressures. The latest trend in Greece and elsewhere is a shift from mass tourism to more environmentally friendly and sustainable forms of tourism. Policies to change tourism patterns in the Greek islands will need to take into consideration their unique characteristics,their existing realities,and to be based on the exploitation of the local natural and cultural resources in order to develop new forms of tourism. The purpose of this paper is to identify types of new forms of tourism that are being developed in the Aegean Islands...

The future of sustainable tourism development for the Greek enterprises that provide sport tourism

Tourism Economics, 2016

'Green tourism' is defined as tourism that enhances local cultural elements, which are operating under the control of local communities, providing employment and maintaining economic benefits within the local communities. In fact, many times the above definition is poorly utilized, since there are times when the economic benefits dim from local communities. Tourism industry uses the term as a message to tourists on energy saving, avoiding coastal pollution and so on. Sometimes, the same tourist businesses are accused of using the term or labelling 'green' primarily for marketing purposes. Although it is a fact that tourism industry is starting to respond to the changing values of tourists regarding environmental issues, however, the purpose of this research is to infer if there is a future for sustainable tourism development concerning the enterprises that provide sport tourism in Greece.

Sustainable and Innovative Solutions for Greek Tourism: The case of Mykonos

Sustainable and Innovative Solutions for Greek Tourism: The case of Mykonos, 2023

The Greek tourism industry faces significant challenges, including overcrowding, environmental impact, seasonality, and low profitability. A new approach is needed to address these issues and ensure a sustainable and innovative future. This paper aims to propose sustainable tourism policies and strategies for Mykonos.

Sustainable tourism management and development of a Greek coastal municipality

International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 2015

A process is presented to facilitate the sustainable management and development of tourist destinations. Based on a specific reforming of the Limits of Acceptable Change planning system and combined with the Tourism Carrying Capacity concept into a common framework, specific steps are described to integrate environmental, social and economic information of a tourist destination into indicators, which are afterwards compared with reference conditions. The Leopold matrix is applied to identify and classify restrictions of development and provide the basis for negotiations between managers, stakeholders and local communities. Through a feedback process of continuous monitoring and adjustment, the aim is to focus developmental activities on restricting factors until all indicators upgrade to reference. A case study at a Greek coastal municipality (Ilida-western Greece) is applied to demonstrate the process. Activity zones are identified and 18 indicators are selected. Results suggest high potential for tourism development of the area. However, low scores are assigned to 8/18 indicators, reflecting restrictions, requiring priority under a sustainable development plan. The proposed process offers managers and stakeholders the ability to easily visualize/identify restrictions and assign developmental priorities within a step-bystep upgrading process, toward the sustainable management and development of tourist destinations.

Tourism in Greece: strategic analysis and challenges by Professor Dimitrios Buhalis

Current Issues in Tourism, 2001

This paper provides a strategic analysis of the competitiveness of Greek tourism. It illustrates the importance of tourism as an economic activity and analyses the current situation and structural problems of Greece as a destination. Although Greece offers unique nature, culture and heritage, the lack of differentiation of the tourism product as well as competitive disadvantages in marketing and planning cause an over-dependence on intermediaries for the promotion and distribution of the tourism product whilst jeopardising its quality. This affects the profitability and competitiveness of both the destination and its small and medium-sized tourism enterprises. The paper proposes a grand strategy as well as numerous strategic directions, objectives and tasks aiming to demonstrate the way ahead for Greek tourism. Several major opportunities emerge through the Olympic Games in 2004 as well as the major projects currently being undertaken which will enhance the infrastructure of the country. It is argued that a consistent tourism policy based on professional development and implemented through a Master Plan is urgently required. Strategies and methodologies need to be identified, whilst private enterprises need to increase their cooperation locally in order to enhance the quality and competitiveness of the product.