A Strategic Analysis of the Greek Leisure Tourism: Competitive Position, Issues and Challenges

Abstract

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.

Spiritual tourism on the island of Corfu: positive impacts of niche tourism versus the challenges of contested space

“…There are many forms of special interest tourism, and therefore it is also stressed that each destination "needs to focus on … differentiation … define its own niche markets and serve them accordingly … in order to be able to achieve a unique 'tourist product benefit' which would enable them to establish their position in the global tourism market", and most importantly, achieve this in a way that means this position becomes sustainable and does not cause any further societal or environmental degradation [Sotiriadis and Varvaressos, (2015), p.330]. Such strategic development to address the problems facing the island of Corfu build a sustainable tourism model for the future should therefore involve focusing less on mass tourism models, and more on alternative and niche markets encompassed under what is referred to as 'special interest tourism', and make these a source of competitive advantage for each of its destination resorts, based upon the niche markets each chooses to serve.…”

Potencjał turystyczny Aten w opinii ich mieszkańców

“…Od 2013 r. można zaobserwować stały, dynamiczny wzrost międzynarodowych przyjazdów turystów. Najważniejszym czynnikiem tej tendencji stała się stabilizacja sytuacji gospodarczej, uruchomienie połączeń lotniczych oferowanych przez "tanie linie" Ryanair (Sotiriadis, Varvaressos 2015) oraz bezpieczeństwo wewnętrzne niezakłócane zamachami terrorystycznymi, dotykającymi inne państwa będące dotychczas w czołówce wakacyjnych podróży. Można przyjąć, że aspekty te przełożyły się bezpośrednio na podwojenie liczby turystów odwiedzających Grecję w latach 2012-2018.…”

Gentrification Impact to the Community’s Quality of Life in Semarang Old Town

“…The change of function of building space into a trade and service area has an indirect impact on the economy of Semarang City. Trade and services are considered capable of being used as a driving force for tourism [10], [13][14][15][16] more tourists come the more trading activities are carried out. These activities can improve the economy of Semarang City.…”