Paris Tsartas

Study of the major supply factors and business choices affecting the growth rate of wine tourism in Greece

Wine tourism is considered one of the alternative forms of tourism internationally. Wine tourism combines wine production with tourism activities, mainly in agricultural areas, as it embraces the tourism interest for wine production and the enjoyment of vineyard activities by the tourists. Greece, as a well-known tourist destination, is actually a new wine tourism area that has still a long way to go before claiming that it can render high-quality services in this very competitive sector. The objective of this paper is to examine and present the extent of wine tourism development in Greece, the characteristics as well as the main business choices related to wine tourism supply, aiming at highlighting the necessary key elements that can play a decisive role in its further growth. In terms of this paper, we attempt to examine the Greek wine producers viewpoint of wine tourism by setting out data related to the development of the product, the satisfaction of businessmen involved, the means used to promote the product, the difficulties faced by and the expectations set by wine producers. In order to achieve the aforementioned goals, a research was conducted by means of a constructive questionnaire sent to all major Greek wine producers from April to June 2007. The participants in the wine tourism industry in the country were considered a major source of information.

Domestic tourism in Greece and special interest destinations: the role of alternative forms of tourism.

ABSTRACT The present paper aims at presenting the results of recent research concerning the quality characteristics of domestic tourism in Greece. In the first part of this paper, an analysis of the basic characteristics of travels affected by Greeks, is presented using the data drawn from an empirical study carried out in 1999 on behalf of the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) and data of other—international and Greek—research. In the second part, the most recent dominant tendencies of domestic travels are pointed out and an examination of those in particular related with travels to special destinations is made. In the final part, a presentation of the characteristics of domestic tourism travels affected by Greeks to special destinations related with five special and alternative forms of tourism is made.

Critical Evaluation of the Greek Tourism Policy

Tourism is an important economic activity for Greece that accounts for about 17.20 % of the GDP and creates 20.89 % of the employment positions (WTTC 2009). In 2008, the sector of hotels and restaurants accounted for a 7.1 % of the country’s GDP. At the same time, approximately 963,000 employees, a great percentage of whom live in some periphery, are either directly or indirectly involved in tourism. Greece as a tourist destination holds the seventh position on the scale of tourism profitability (4.6 % of the total of the 25 EU member states). Additionally, during the post-war period tourism development had been impressive, since the average annual increase of foreign tourism revenues in dollars for the years 1960–2005 amounted to 13.3 %.

Second home conversion during the economic crisis: the case of Artemida, Greece

Abstract The conversion of second to primary homes is a known phenomenon; yet, its emergence as a result of necessity in an era of economic crisis has not been adequately addressed in the literature. To fill this gap, the article discusses an interview study of younger adults who have made this conversion, conducted in a second home area near Athens, Greece. The study explores the factors that influenced respondents to move permanently to their second home and perceptions of their relocation. Given the ongoing economic crisis in Greece, the research is placed in a unique socioeconomic context, allowing the investigation to delve into the effects of the economic crisis on these housing choices, by comparing perspectives on conversions having taken place before and during the crisis. Findings depict second home mobility as a complex phenomenon linked to tourism, changing housing needs, social factors, economic pressures, but also new potential urban functions arising from the current economic depression in Greece.