Ecotourism in the Greek islands: Lost in vagueness

• Main Author: Maria SAKELLARI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Diacronie 2019-12-01
• Series: Diacronie. Studi di Storia Contemporanea
• Subjects: ecotourism; greek economic crisis; greek islands; local communities; sustainable tourism.; comunità locali; crisi economica greca; ecoturismo; isole greche; turismo sostenibile
• Online Access: http://www.studistorici.com/2019/12/29/sakellari_numero_40/

This paper provides a description of the development and present practices of ecotourism in the Greek islands. For the purpose, it digs into peer-review literature and policy documents focusing on economic, social, and environmental aspects of ecotourism in Greece and in general, and the problems faced to meet it’s objectives. The paper also discusses the implications for the future of ecotourism in the Greek islands and the country in general within the context of the on-going economic crisis and the austerity framework, and identifies how the vision of ecotourism should be pursued. A participatory tourism development approach, environmental education and capacity building for the professional development of local communities in the context of environmental conservation and ecotourism, can help to provide an alternative to the exploitative use of environmental resources and support the transfer of the tangible benefits of ecotourism to local communities. This paper suggests that this vision of sustainable tourism and ecotourism development should be founded on new schemes and policies for Greece incorporating citizenship rights, challenging market individualism towards a common environmental good concept and deepening representation and transparency.