Governmental, Entrepreneurial and Social Dysfunctions and Responsibilities in Terms of Tourism Development Strategy Implementation in Greece: Quo Vadis? (original) (raw)
Related papers
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.
A Strategic Analysis of the Greek Leisure Tourism: Competitive Position, Issues and Challenges
Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 2015
All Mediterranean countries adopted and implemented more or less the same model of tourism development based on 4Ss (Sun, Sea, Sand and Sex). The main purpose of this paper is to analyse the experience of developing leisure tourism in Greece in order to draw some useful lessons for other countries and tourism destinations. To address the research aim this paper adopts the approach of strategic analysis. This approach illustrates the importance of tourism as an economic activity and analyses the current situation and structural problems of Greece as a destination. Although Greece has a wonderful range of natural, cultural and heritage resources, the lack of differentiation of the tourism offering as well as competitive disadvantages in the fields of governance, planning and marketing caused an over-dependence on tour operators for the promotion and distribution of its tourism offering. The same factors compromised the quality of tourism services having involved a vicious circle. This situation has a negative impact on the sustainability and competitiveness of the destination and tourism industry. Therefore, the paper assesses the Greek experience with the aim to identify the crucial issues and challenges. This evaluation permits to take some lessons from the Greek experience, beneficial to other destinations willing to develop tourism, and to formulate some recommendations.
Heritage
In the UN Agenda 2030, tourism acquires a salient position as a critical sector, directly or indirectly influencing a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The pursuit of Sustainable Tourism (ST) is founded on the respectful exploitation of the sector’s core ‘raw material’, i.e., the precious and vulnerable nexus of natural and cultural heritage, and a cooperative multi-actor endeavor of all those having a stake in this shared good. Strategic tourism policy decisions, formulated at the state level, frame actors’ actions, favoring a balance among economic, societal and environmental goals; and a transparent, concrete and supportive investment landscape, allowing the tourism sector to blossom. But how successful are these policy decisions in promoting a sustainable, resilient and durable tourism model by instigating the entrepreneurial community to invest in the vibrant culture–tourism complex? An effort to respond to this concern is made in this work, grounded in the ‘Cultu...
Sustainable tourism in Greece Problems for sustainable tourism development (2).doc
It is commonly accepted that tourism is the backbone of economic development of Greece. As a form of economic activity, tourism falls in services, which means that special attention is given the infrastructures existing in the quality of services. In Greece in recent years an effort to upgrade the tourism product has been made through the upgrading of services but also a shift from the model of mass tourism that prevailed in previous decades, to the model of sustainable tourism. The reason leading to this shift has to do with international trends in tourism and with the fact that Greece offers a unique 'puzzle' tourism resources are not limited to 3S (Sun, sand, sea) of mass tourism but can offer unique experiences in both summer and winter tourism. This paper has revealed that despite of the fact that sustainable tourism is accepted as a key mean of development, there are some issues such as with planning and implementation along with some wrong perceptions from the side of the entrepreneurs.
CURRENT TRENDS AND PROSPECTS OF TOURISM EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN GREECE
Piccola Impresa / Small Business, 2019
Education and training have always been considered factors of utmost importance in economic development. To this aim, governments constantly strive to develop effective education systems, creating education and training structures at different levels which reflect the socioeconomic conditions of each state. Since tourism as a social activity is internationally recognized as contributing significantly to economic and cultural development, the organization of the tourism education and training system is a research area of particular academic interest. More specifically, the structure of tourism education can be often confusing for both trainees and employers. This confusion is accentuated by factors such as the diversity of tourism as an interdisciplinary field and its inherent feature of employment seasonality, features directly linked to tourism enterprises, SME structure, function and employability opportunities. This article delves into the multidimensional system of tourism education and training in Greece, a country that is economically reliant on tourism. In particular, the education system is being analysed during the period of the country's economic crisis. Findings point out long-standing weaknesses of the education system intensified by uncoordinated political action under the pressure of the economic crisis. Analysis of tourism educational policy can possibly account for the ways knowledge is translated into practice, particularly in the area of small firms. This paper aspires to point out the relationship between government policy in Higher Education and small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) by highlighting the importance of tourism education on local economy. It turns out that in Greece, tourism education and training suffers from inherent weaknesses that are not necessarily due to the economic crisis but are potentially exacerbated by it. Classification JEL: I2, I230, L8, Z3
TOURISM RESEARCH ON GREECE: A Critical Overview
Annals of Tourism Research, 2004
This paper examines the directions and methodological practices of tourism research carried out in Greece over the last three decades, highlights critical issues in the developmental path of this study in the country, and makes certain proposals concerning its future orientation. Although the reviewed published works are informed by disciplinary methods and theories, it is the anthropological approach that guides this paper's interpretations. Further, a preliminary analysis of tourism representations illuminates the local-global relationships. In addition, this exploration demonstrates how Greece's tourism identity is shaped by powerful discourses embedded in historical, political, and ideological processes.
Annals of Tourism Research, 2004
This paper examines the directions and methodological practices of tourism research carried out in Greece over the last three decades, highlights critical issues in the developmental path of this study in the country, and makes certain proposals concerning its future orientation. Although the reviewed published works are informed by disciplinary methods and theories, it is the anthropological approach that guides this paper’s interpretations. Further, a preliminary analysis of tourism representations illuminates the local-global relationships. In addition, this exploration demonstrates how Greece’s tourism identity is shaped by powerful discourses embedded in historical, political, and ideological processes.Les recherches de tourisme au sujet de la Grèce. Cet article examine les directions et les pratiques méthodologiques des recherches de tourisme qui ont été réalisées en Grèce dans les trente dernières années, souligne des questions critiques dans le chemin de développement de cette matière dans ce pays et fait certaines suggestions au sujet de son orientation future. Quoique les ouvrages publiés qui sont examinés sont fondés sur des méthodes et des théories disciplinaires, c’est une approche anthropologique qui guide les interprétations de cet article. De plus, une analyse préliminaire des représentations du tourisme éclaire les relations globales/locales. Et cette exploration démontre comment l’identité du tourisme en Grèce est formulée par des discours puissants qui font partie des processus historiques, politiques et idéologiques.