Country: Greece

EXPERIENTIAL TOURISM SPECIFICITIES AND NEEDS

Bridging Visitor Experience and Resident Well-being in Greece

The need for a new approach to tourism that extends the tourist season and caters to both visitors and residents was identified as a major gap. For destinations to maintain the elements that support their sustainability (local character – culture, sense of community thanks to residents, economic diversification – activity outside of tourism), tourism practices must adapt. The need for tourism services that incorporate sustainability and digitalisation was highlighted as a challenge. The lessons learnt underscore the importance of inclusivity and sustainability in tourism services.

Many Greek initiatives highlight the importance of sustainable development, cultural heritage promotion, and the provision of quality services for both tourists and residents.

  • The Fish&Chips project promotes the archaeological and cultural heritage of Taranto in Puglia and the island of Corfu in Greece. It aims to diversify the economic activities of fishing communities and adjust seasonally. An Ecomuseum was foreseen to be established in Taranto and Corfu, offering exhibitions, workshops, tasting labs, and new itineraries guided by archaeologists and fishers. A Map of Cultural Heritage was also created, collecting tangible and intangible maritime elements of the project area.
  • The BEST MED project contributes to enhancing MED Governance, addressing the challenges of seasonality and lack of effective cooperation among main tourism actors. It supports evidence-based planning, monitoring, and evaluation of interventions in the MED programme. The project aimed to create a new integrated and sustainable touristic planning to mitigate seasonality in the MED area, connecting coastal regions to inland regions. It also proposed to analyse the positive and negative impacts of tourism on the quality of life of tourists, residents, and the quality of the tourist’s experience.

Lessons Learned:

  • Accessible Destinations for Tourists and residents alike: Creating accessible infrastructures and promoting accessible tourist destinations through publicity material, an accessible website, and information workshops can support the development of more inclusive and green localities, that provide quality of life both to residents and to tourists.
EXPERIENTIAL TOURISM SPECIFICITIES AND NEEDS

Adapting to Changing Tourism Demands in Greece

The lack of understanding of the changing tourism demand and the opportunities presented by the twin transition was identified as a major gap. As perceptions of tourists change and their needs evolve, new challenges and opportunities rise for tourism SMEs. The need for awareness programs to educate on the changing tourism landscape was highlighted as a challenge. Professionals have the need for tools to make well-placed observations, acquire insights and leverage their new knowledge. The lessons learnt underscore the importance of staying abreast of market trends and leveraging the opportunities presented by the twin transition.

The DestiMED PLUS project is a significant initiative that aims to promote integrated planning in coastal tourism. It focuses on applying holistic policies that link tourism with conservation, particularly in the context of ecotourism products in Mediterranean Protected Areas (PAs). The project recognizes the need for robust governance and legislative frameworks across the entire Mediterranean area for ecotourism to thrive. A key component of the project is the establishment of a Med Ecotourism Consortium (MEC), comprising conservation and tourism actors from regional administrations. The MEC works to capitalize on tools and strengthen policy frameworks for ecotourism, allowing regions to exchange best practices and develop an integrated ecotourism model for the Mediterranean that can be adopted by their territories and scaled up.

Lessons Learned:

  • Harmonization of Monitoring Tools and Online Learning: Existing monitoring tools should be harmonized to maintain an informed overview. This may allow local and regional authorities to measure sustainability and improve participatory governance.
  • Strengthening Governance and Legislation Frameworks: For ecotourism to thrive, governance and legislation frameworks must be strengthened across the whole Mediterranean area. This includes enhancing cross-sectoral local and regional policies and improving integrated planning strategies that can integrate insights of variable demand.

Twin transition skills for the tourism sector in Greece

The lack of consumer education on the importance of green and digital transitions was identified as a major gap. This means that SMEs that undergo such a transition may not acquire as a large competitive advantage as in markets where consumers are aware of the added value of tourism driven by green and digital practices. The need for awareness programs on the skills needed for the twin transition was highlighted as a challenge. The lessons learned underscore the importance of consumer education and awareness programs, as well as appropriate initiatives for professionals.

Many Greek initiatives target to build capacities in digitalization for the Greek tourism industry. These projects highlight the importance of skills development, collaboration, and inclusivity in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.

  • The EXCELTOUR project introduces the concept of Business Excellence in tourism SMEs using the internationally recognized Excellence Model of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). This project aims to ensure the sustainability of tourism by creating a group of skilled consultants and facilitators, preparing SMEs for certification, and promoting experience exchange and networking.
  • The DANEV -GARGOV project focuses on the evolving relationship between tourism and the creative industries. As the creative economy has evolved, creative knowledge and skills are deployed in the wider economy. This project responds to the new challenges in the creative and tourism sector by establishing sustainable business partnerships across borders in the collaborative development of high-quality artistic products and tourism services.
  • The Initiative for Improving the capacity and accessibility of Tourism Destinations in the cross-border area” project promoted tourism for people with disabilities (PWD) developed 3D promotional materials, better services, and accessibility of public facilities to vulnerable groups. It includes measures for making touristic attractions accessible for PWD, staff trainings, and the supply of direction and information touristic signs and bicycles for touristic purposes.

Lessons Learned:

  • Business Excellence in Tourism: The EXCELTOUR project introduces the concept of Business Excellence in tourism SMEs using the internationally recognized Excellence Model of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). This approach ensures the sustainability of tourism and can function as a role model for other SMEs, highlighting skills that may benefit the twin transition of tourism SMEs.
  • Creation of Skilled Consultants and Facilitators: Another interesting possibility comes by creating a group of skilled consultants and facilitators who can support SMEs in implementing the EFQM Model and achieving certification. This can enhance the quality of services offered by SMEs and improve their competitiveness.
  • Improvement of Capacity and Accessibility of Tourism Destinations: The “Destinations for all” project focuses on improving the capacity and accessibility of tourism destinations in the cross-border area. This includes infrastructure interventions, staff training, and the supply of direction and information touristic signs and bicycles for touristic purposes.
TRAVEL AGENCY AND ORGANIZATIONAL SERVICES

Digital Transformation in Tourism in Greece

The lack of training and competence development in digital skills areas is a major gap for most SMEs. The need for a new approach to tourism that incorporates digital tools (also as a necessity that accommodates health protocols enacted fur to the COVID-19 pandemic) was highlighted as a challenge. The lessons learned underscore the importance of digital literacy and the integration of digital tools in tourism, as a means to increase visitors and drive sales.

Many Greek initiatives aim at enhancing the digitalization of Greek tourism by addressing these obstacles:

  • The LIBECCIO project enhances tourism governance and sustainability through digital transformation, supporting policymakers with data-driven decision-making. It has developed a Destination Management Support System (DMSS), a platform integrating sustainability indicators and Big Data analytics for policy and decision-making.
  • The project exploring the potential of Smart Industrial Tourism (SMIT) focuses on changing tourism patterns post-pandemic, by focusing on alternative destinations and exploiting technology to make the tourist experience more rewarding and sustainable. It aims to diversify the economy and the sector, reduce over-tourism and seasonalization, and boost social and economic growth and technological innovation in tourism.
  • The CI-Novatec project records and evaluates visitors’ experiences in the Region of Western Greece, Epirus, and Puglia, through a mobile application. The data collected helps managers improve their organization, strengthens small-medium sized businesses, and prepares members of the Regional Networks through training seminars.
  • “Metallon Topoi” (Places of Metals) project involving the islands of Sifnos, Serifos, Kythnos and the Community of Asgata aims to highlight the pan-European heritage of these areas with mining-metallurgical remains over 3500 years old, promoting new thematic forms of tourism. The project has resulted in a unified destination identity, promotion centers, permanent reports of geological-mining samples, and an Internet-GIS platform among other outputs. These projects have shown the potential of digital transformation in enhancing the tourism experience and promoting sustainable development.

Lessons Learned:

  • Data Collection and Analysis: Data collection and analysis can be pivotal to understanding visitor experiences and expectations, thus helping tourism SMEs and destinations improve their services and offerings.
  • Capacity Building and Skill Development: Capacity building and skill development among various stakeholders in the tourism sector is highlighted as a factor that can enhance the competitiveness of tourism SMEs. It can also support the development of new forms of tourism such as ecotourism and industrial tourism. The former can be enabled by the use of digital tools.
  • Digital Platforms for Accessibility and Inclusivity: The ALTER TRIP project shows the importance of developing digital platforms to improve the accessibility of tourist destinations. Such platforms can help disabled and elderly visitors plan their trips, thereby making the destination more inclusive.
  • Use of Advanced Technologies: The “SMITour” and CI-NOVATEC projects highlight the role of advanced technologies in enhancing the tourist experience and making it more rewarding and sustainable.

Establishment of National and Transnational Tourism Networks

Geographical and institutional isolation are identified as the main challenges hindering access to best practices and peer learning. Distance from other SMEs implementing good practices or Business Support Organisations active in the field of Tourism is detrimental to the progress towards twin transition. SMEs active in mountainous or otherwise remote locations have little to no access in such networks. The lessons learnt indicate the need for a cooperation framework and a repository of sustainable practices to guide the industry, that can also be accessible in a way circumventing geographical isolation.

In the realm of tourism, the “Pescatourism” initiative in Greece exemplifies an effective approach to best practice sharing, peer learning, and networking for SMEs. This project fosters an interregional cooperation network that highlights local fishing traditions across eighteen localities. By promoting fishing as a tertiary activity, “Pescatourism” not only mitigates overfishing but also preserves traditional vessels, thereby enriching local material culture and providing an additional income source for residents. A key component of this initiative is an online platform that disseminates fishing tourism concepts and promotes local destinations. This platform facilitates peer learning and networking among local actors, enhancing their capacity through shared experiences and joint training sessions. The network created by “Pescatourism” serves as a valuable resource for SMEs, enabling them to learn from each other and adopt best practices in sustainable tourism development.

Other successful examples of initiatives/projects enabling networking & knowledge exchange among SMEs are:

CROSS – COASTAL – NET: This project focuses on sustainable tourism in the coastal areas of Greece and Cyprus. It aims to establish a network for promoting sustainable forms of coastal tourism. The project introduced innovative policies of sustainable tourism management of coastal areas, designed with the active participation of stakeholders. It also provided an e-networking/promotion platform for information sharing and networking among stakeholders.

CapTour: This project aims to strengthen the key factors affecting entrepreneurial success in the tourism industry within the cross-border area. It focuses on SMEs in the tourism and hospitality industry. The project provided business support via a partnership opportunity e-platform, host networking opportunities, and organize sectoral round tables & business forums. It also offered training, consulting, and mentoring actions for potential entrepreneurs.

ADRILINK: This project aims to promote Landscape Tourism in the Adriatic Region through the creation of a network of Landscape Interpretation Centres. These centres were digitally connected through an ICT platform, ensuring the integrated management of tourist services. The project established an Adriatic Network for Tourism on Landscape and develop a digital platform and app for Adriatic Tourism.

LABELSCAPE: This project aims to develop mechanisms for integrating sustainability labels in wider tourism policies and provide support for destination-based initiatives in the certification process. It addressed the latest challenges of certified destinations and businesses, such as recognisability and digital transformation. LABELSCAPE reached its objectives through “Exchange of Experience” workshops, an online capacity building platform, policy-change actions, and transferable policy recommendations.

ToCulter: This project aims to create a common tourist identity based on water trails, specialized according to each location’s identity. It plans to use an innovative platform and networking activities to develop promotional tourism packages, thereby improving the cross-border tourism product and services and enhancing tourism flow in the area. The project developed a range of actions such as e-tools to improve the cross-border tourism product and services, digital signage networks, media and tourism operators networking events, and the creation of a Local Quality Agreement of Tourism Enterprises. It also implemented activities (fairs/promotional events) outside the Programme area to enhance the “local” tourism product in new domestic and foreign markets. The results of the project benefitted various groups including the local population, tourists/visitors, local businesses in tourist and relevant sectors, local/regional authorities dealing with development planning regarding tourism, associations for the elderly people, and tour operators.

Lessons Learned:

  • Sustainable Tourism Management: The CROSS – COASTAL – NET project demonstrates the importance of sustainable tourism management. It shows that protecting natural resources and promoting sustainable forms of tourism can have a positive impact on local economies. This aligns with the green transition by prioritizing environmental sustainability.
  • Strengthening SMEs: The CapTour project highlights the importance of strengthening SMEs in the tourism industry. It shows that providing business support, hosting networking opportunities, and organizing sectoral round tables & business forums can improve entrepreneurship conditions. This aligns with the digital transition by using digital platforms for networking and business support.
  • Community-Based Projects: The ADRILINK project emphasizes the value of community-based projects. It shows that involving the community in the planning and implementation of tourism initiatives can lead to more sustainable and successful outcomes. This aligns with both the digital and green transitions by promoting digital connectivity and sustainable tourism management.
  • Sustainability Certification: The LABELSCAPE project underscores the effectiveness of sustainability certification in addressing the challenges faced by Mediterranean destinations. It shows that integrating sustainability labels in wider tourism policies can improve the quality of tourism offer, strengthen cooperation between tourism providers and the local community, and enhance communication with visitors. This aligns with the green transition by promoting responsible use of natural and cultural resources.
  • Innovative Platforms and Networking Activities: The ToCulter project illustrates the benefits of using innovative platforms and networking activities to develop promotional tourism packages. It shows that digital tools can improve cross-border tourism products and services and enhance tourism flow in the area. This aligns with the digital transition by leveraging digital technologies to enhance tourism.
TRANSPORT SERVICES

Driving Green Transition in Greek Tourism

The green transition for tourism companies and SMEs involves adopting practices that reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability and can take the form of specific solutions for reduced CO2 emissions or improved resource management. A notable example is the initiative by INSETE, which has developed a toolkit to support sustainable tourism development, including resources such as studies, manuals, videos, and articles that guide businesses in aligning their operations with EU sustainability targets​​. Moreover, the initiative emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation, encouraging businesses to stay updated with the latest sustainability practices and regulations. Another significant aspect is the focus on renewable energy and resource efficiency, where businesses are encouraged to invest in energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices. For instance, the green transition of Astypalea as a destination, supported by the Volkswagen Group and centrally by the Greek State government, showcases the integration of renewable energy sources and electric transportation to reduce carbon emissions and enhance sustainability​​.

The majority of Greek tourism SMEs have not implemented significant green transition projects, indicating a gap in the adoption of sustainable practices. The need for sustainability certification, self-assessment, and access to funding opportunities were identified as challenges. The lessons learnt emphasize the importance of providing resources and support for SMEs to undertake green transitions.

Among significant initiatives for green transition of tourism SMEs is the “Accessible Nature and Culture-Sustainable Tourism” project (see Annex), submitted by the Municipality of Rethymno and the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities on behalf of Greece, and the Municipality of Ayia Napa and the Municipality of Sotiras on behalf of Cyprus. The project focuses on improving accessibility to natural and cultural spaces in the two municipalities, promoting these spaces, and developing common strategies and tools aimed at tourism for all. The project includes interventions to improve the accessibility to selected natural and cultural sites of the three municipalities, the creation of accessible models and maps, actions to promote accessible tourist destinations through publicity material and an accessible website, and information workshops. It also includes a joint strategic plan for the development of accessible tourism, a guide to the emblematic accessible points of the natural and cultural heritage of the two islands, proposals for packages of accessible tourist routes, and a common system for assessing accessibility and placing a certification mark on “accessible to all-natural and/or cultural heritage sites”.

Lessons Learned:

  • Exchange of Good Practices: Exchanging good practices is important, particularly in terms of improving the green impact of tourist infrastructure.
  • Attracting New Visitors: The research has highlighted that combining green transition and social considerations is important to attract new visitors, including individuals with disabilities or reduced mobility. This can help improve the quality of the tourist product, extend the tourist season, and expand the tourist market share.
  • Capitalization Activities: Capitalisation through replication of activities in further territories, serving to mainstream results in regional, national, and European policies, can help establish a critical mass for sustainable and circular growth in the Mediterranean region.
TRAVEL AGENCY AND ORGANIZATIONAL SERVICES

Circular Tourism: Sustainable Practices in Greece

Circularity in tourism services focuses on minimizing waste and promoting sustainable resource use. One effective approach is the implementation of comprehensive waste management systems, such as the one adopted by Creta Maris Resort. This system includes sorting waste at the source, weighing it for monitoring purposes, and ensuring proper recycling processes are followed. Additionally, the resort has implemented measures to reduce food waste by adjusting serving sizes, improving food presentation, and training staff on waste reduction techniques. These practices are part of a broader strategy to adopt circular economy principles, which also involve sustainable procurement and transparent communication of sustainability achievements. By embedding these principles into their operations, tourism businesses can reduce their environmental footprint, enhance resource efficiency, and promote sustainability. This approach not only benefits the environment but also resonates with environmentally conscious travelers, potentially increasing the attractiveness and competitiveness of the destination​​.

The challenges identified by interviewed tourism SMEs in implementing sustainable practices were mainly regulatory clashes that were seen as barriers to sustainability, for the attainment of which environmental, social and economic considerations should be integrated into the relevant regulations. The lessons learned underscore the need for regulatory harmonization and support for SMEs to adopt sustainable practices, as well as a framework for implementing directions heard from prominent voices of the sector.

The INCIRCLE project is a significant initiative that aims to apply the principles of circular economy to the tourism sector, with a focus on the unique needs of islands and low-density areas. This project recognizes the vulnerability of natural resources in Mediterranean tourist territories, such as islands and scarcely inhabited areas, and the often-opposing interests of tourist stakeholders and local communities. Building on previous projects, INCIRCLE tests a new methodology to seize the sustainability challenge, especially in terms of improved and integrated sustainable tourism planning to preserve and valorise non-renewable resources. The project’s tailored policies address mobility, energy efficiency, use of limited resources such as water, and waste production while enhancing community prosperity and quality of life. Durable and easily adaptable outputs are envisaged to provide Mediterranean decision-makers with concrete tools and testing opportunities to improve their capacity in terms of assessing and planning sustainability in territories where resources are already scarce. The project aims to disclose new funding and concrete replication opportunities, establishing a critical mass for Mediterranean sustainable and circular growth. Capitalization activities replicated activities in further territories and mainstream results in regional, national, and European policies. This project exemplifies the opportunities of the circular transition for tourism and the importance of adapting to changes in tourism demand.

Lessons Learned:

  • Applying Circular Economy Principles: The principles of circular economy to the tourism sector are applicable to the tourism sector, given the priorities set by the approach of the circular economy are respected. This includes addressing mobility, energy efficiency, use of limited resources such as water, and waste production.
  • Sustainable Tourism Planning: The challenges faced by vulnerable tourist territories, such as islands and scarcely inhabited areas, stress the need for improved and integrated sustainable tourism planning to preserve and valorise non-renewable resources.
  • Tailored Policies for Specific Needs: Tailored policies that address the peculiar needs of islands and low-density areas are deemed optimal to foster community prosperity and quality of life.

Greek Sustainable Tourism Strategies

Developing or updating comprehensive tourism strategies is essential for the sustainable growth of the tourism sector. A key practice involves engaging stakeholders in a collaborative process, as exemplified by the EU’s co-created transition pathways. This approach ensures that the strategies are inclusive and reflective of the needs of various stakeholders, including local communities, businesses, and governments. For instance, the Greek Institute SETE has implemented a comprehensive toolkit addressing sustainable tourism development, which includes 26 studies, 8 manuals, 6 videos, and 2 articles aimed at enhancing the understanding and implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles in the tourism sector​​. Another best practice is the focus on resilience and adaptability, where strategies are continuously updated to address emerging challenges such as the impacts of COVID-19 and evolving environmental regulations. By prioritizing stakeholder engagement, continuous learning, and adaptability, tourism strategies can significantly contribute to the sustainable and resilient growth of the tourism sector​​.

Main gaps identified focused on the lack of financial and technical support for initiatives contributing to the green transition. Tourism SMEs expresses the need for state support for sustainability initiatives, as the current contribution from the state is assessed within a range of unsatisfactory to non-existent. The common obstacles were the excessive costs of green transition interventions and the lack of expertise in implementing sustainable practices. The lessons learnt highlight the need for financial incentives and technical training to facilitate green transition.

Successful examples of projects or initiatives in tourism have shown that innovative and sustainable tourism models can successfully be implemented, providing valuable lessons for future initiatives. They also highlight the importance of collaboration, the value of integrating different sectors, and the potential of new forms of tourism. A few examples:

  • The InMed-Tour project (see Annex) promotes health tourism, an innovative form of tourism that combines health travel with the opportunity to enjoy the local area. This project has resulted in a cross-border effort to bring together the health and research industries with local enterprises, creating a modern e-Cluster for the exchange of medical information and good practices.
  • The Sustainable Tourism project aims to enhance the development of policies and increase the coordination of strategies between territories at interregional and transnational levels regarding the development of sustainable and responsible coastal and maritime tourism. The project has successfully set up a general framework of collaboration to facilitate the creation of synergies among modular projects.
  • The Med Pearls project aims to position the Mediterranean as a unique destination to experience the Med lifestyle through Slow Tourism. The project has delivered a set of 26 new Slow Tourism products created by local Destination Management Companies and ICT enterprises.

Lessons Learned:

  • Innovation and Diversification: Through implemented projects, the importance of innovative strategies in tourism, such as medical tourism, becomes apparent. This diversifies tourism offerings and addresses a specific demographic, potentially increasing the number of tourists. It also highlights the importance of cross-border collaboration and usage of digital platforms for information exchange and knowledge sharing.
  • Unique and Integral Destination Branding: The Med Pearls project demonstrates the potential of positioning the Mediterranean as a unique and integral destination for Slow Tourism. It shows how creating similar high-quality experiences across different areas can enhance the overall brand of the region. It also highlights the role of local Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and ICT enterprises in creating new tourism products.
TRANSPORT SERVICES

Smart Astypalea – Vehicles update & RES

“SmartAstypalea” offers a pathway to the gradual replacement of the public and private vehicle fleet on the island with electric vehicles. Concurrently, an innovative transportation system is introduced while RES infrastructure is built to shift the island’s energy mix away from fossil fuels, and eventually to reduced GHG emissions.

These are achieved by the implementation of a financing program for new electric vehicles, the installation of an EV charging network, the introduction of on-demand and micro-mobility transport services, and a commitment to future accommodations for autonomous driving.

Construction work for the upgrading of Astypalea island energy network started in January 2021.

Planning of new RES infrastructure, charging points placement selection and the identification of the legislative framework for the “on-demand shuttle service” followed, along with the installation of the first 12 publicly available charging points, the launch of the “e-astypalea” platform and the delivery of the first EVs to local authorities (police force, coast guard, civil aviation, municipality).

The implementation expanded to private fleets and the public infrastructure for the shuttle service, resulting to over eighteen thousand trips until August 2022.

The capacity of the island’s electrical grid was one of the technical challenges, eventually tackled with upgrading works. Getting local citizens onboard and informed about the project was done during a town hall meeting, where the project was presented to them. The interfuncitonality and combination of all distinct services that comprise the smart mobility system of the island were connected at the user level through the “e-astypalea” platform. A challenge to older citizens of the island, not having smartphones is the use of the “Astybus” service, relying on their younger relatives to order shuttles for them.

The all-inclusive approach to transitioning to a smart multimodal mobility ecosystem can be replicated to other small localities with well-defined resource flows. A model of triple-helix cooperation adopted during this project is well-tested and applied in many different conditions. The concrete governance design, research approach, action plans, and implementation have general features that allow them to be adopted when transferred. As there is a significant number of remote places in Greece that can benefit from a twin transition of their local mobility, the domestic transfer of this practice is highly probable.

TOURISM BUSINESS STRATEGY

Pescatourism in Greece

“Pescatourism” documents local fishing traditions of islands and coastal regions across the seas of Greece, to the aim of promoting local trade and culinary cultures as an attractive added element for experiential tourism.

Aesthetically pleasing informative videos and articles have been created and shared through the online platform of “Pescatourism”. Users can search for different localities, their specific features, fish that are caught there and recipes to cook them.

The promotion of fishing tourism also calls for local fishers, boat owners and relevant stake holders to be informed and built their capacity relevant to this new type of tourism. A relevant network is created for exchange of experiences and joint training. It aims to promote and develop tourism in Rhodes through digital promotion, development of alternative forms of tourism, cooperation with local agencies.

“Pescatourism” started in June 2021 and concluded in December 2023, with the collaboration of organisations from 18 places around Greece. Activities included field research on knowledge and stances of fishers towards fishing tourism, soft skills training for 50 professionals, based in Kefalonia as a local case, experiential learning visit to Italy, promotional videos from participating localities, an online platform and a dissemination conference.

PROTOUR, founded in 1989, supports the promotion and development of tourism in Rhodes. As responsible for the project management of “Pescatourism”, PROTOUR furthers its mission, while having an expanded positive domestic impact on the tourism industry.

The adaptation of an activity from the 1st to the 3rd sector is a transition that needs the professionals to acquire soft skills and adapt their infrastructure and practices to accommodate tourist needs. This was addressed through the training of fishers participating.

Authenticity provides significant added value to a touristic product; its integrity, however, is threatened by the same conditions of its success. A fine balance should be kept between introducing visitors to fishing cultures, and a viable scale for local customs and practices to remain true to their local character.

The approach showcased and activities undertaken during “Pescatourism” can be directly replicated with the inclusion of new locations or products of choice (e.g. Honey oy fungi). With appropriate adaptation, the overall design can be followed as a model for transferring activities from the 1st to the 3rd sector.
By documenting its approach and best practices, Protour can serve as a valuable stakeholder for other destinations seeking to implement sustainable tourism models.

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