Determinant Factors of Tourist Attractiveness of Greek Prefectures

Determinant Factors of Tourist Attractiveness of Greek Prefectures

S. Polyzos G. Arabatzis 

Department of Planning and Regional Development, Engineering School, University of Thessaly, Greece

Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece

Page: 
343-366
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP-V3-N4-343-366
Received: 
N/A
| |
Accepted: 
N/A
| | Citation

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

Tourism constitutes one of the most dynamic and rapidly developing sectors of the Greek economy, making a decisive contribution to the growth of many Greek regions. The increase in tourist flows to all regions of the country is a vital pursuit of its regional policies, and a means for achieving regional economic development. The intense differentiation in tourist arrivals at each individual prefecture of the country constitutes an issue that is related to the more general characteristics and factors that shape the degree of tourist attractiveness of each area. The present article examines the tourism characteristics of Greek prefectures and the factors that affect related tourist flows and define the structure of the country’s internal tourism. Furthermore, a proposal is made as to the typology of the prefectures according to their tourist resources. The determination and the analysis of factors are performed by using the multiple regression statistical model, which calculates the impact of each individual determinant on the tourist attractiveness of the prefectures. Moreover, by using hierarchical cluster analysis, two uniform territorial units of tourist attractiveness are formed, thus giving the opportunity to decision-makers to exercise a more effective tourism and regional policy. The basic conclusion that results from the article is that the presence of sandy beaches and the sea vitally contributes to the confi guration of each prefecture’s overall tourist attractiveness.

Keywords: 

regional development, tourist flows, tourist resources

  References

[1] Coccosis, H. & Tsartas, P., Sustainable Tourism Development and Environment, Editions Kritiki: Athens, 2001.

[2] Varvaresos, S., Tourism Economic Approaches, Editions Propobos: Athens, 2000 (in Greek).

[3] NSSG, Tourist Statistics, NSSG: Athens, 2005 (in Greek).

[4] Polyzos, S. & Arabatzis, G., A multicriteria approach for the evaluation of tourist resources of Greek prefectures. Tourism Today, 6, pp. 96–111, 2006.

[5] Polyzos, S., Arabatzis, G. & Tsiantikoudis, S., The attractiveness of archaeological sites in Greece: a spatial analysis. International Journal of Tourism Policy, 1(3), pp. 246–266, 2007.

[6] Polyzos, S. & Sdrolias, L., Strategic method of confrontation of tourist competition: the case of Greece. Journal of Travel and Tourism Research 6(1), pp. 12–28, 2006.

[7] Buhalis, D., Tourism in Greece: strategic analysis and challenges. Current Issues in Tourism, 4(5), pp. 440–480, 2001.

[8] Tsartas, P., Tourists, Travels, Locations: Sociological Approaches in Tourism, Editions Enantas: Athens, 1996 (in Greek).

[9] NSSG, Tourist Statistics – Years 1991–1993, Athens, 1995, (in Greek).

[10] NSSG, Tourist Statistics – Years 1995–1996 Unpublished data, Athens, 1998 (in Greek).

[11] NSSG, Tourist Statistics – Years 1996–1998, Unpublished data, Athens, 2000 (in Greek).

[12] Monk, J. & Alexander, C.S., Free port fallout: gender, employment and migration on Margarita island. Annals of Tourism Research, 13(3), pp. 393–414, 1986.

[13] Komilis, P., Tourism and sustainable regional development. Tourism: The State of the Art, eds G. Seaton et al., Wiley and Sons: Chichester, pp. 65–73, 1995.

[14] Polyzos, S., Analysis of factors that infl uence the internal tourist fl ows in Greece. Topos, 18–19, pp. 87–108, 2002 (in Greek).

[15] Sindiga, L., Domestic tourism in Kenya. Annals of Tourism Research, 23(1), pp. 19–31, 1996.

[16] Knight, J., Hospitalities in Japanese rural tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 13(3), pp. 367–393, 1996.

[17] Marcouiller, D., Kim, K.-K. & Deller, S., Natural amenities, tourism and income distribution. Annals of Tourism Research, 31(4), pp. 1031–1050, 2004.

[18] Komilis, P., Spatial Analysis of Tourism, KEPE: Athens, 1986 (in Greek).

[19] Christopoulou, O. & Papadopoulos, I., Winter tourism, development of mountainous areas and visitors’ attitudes towards landscape protection. Anatolia, 12(2), pp. 153–164, 2001.

[20] Tsartas, P., Manologlou, H. & Markou, A., Qualitative Aspects and Demand Trends of Domestic Tourism. NCSR: Athens, 2001 (in Greek).

[21] Konsolas, N., Contemporary Regional Economic Policy. Editions Papazisi: Athens, 1997 (in Greek).

[22] Richardson, H., Regional Economics, Editions Papazisi: Athens, 1972.

[23] Walker, D. & Chapman, K., Location of Industry, Editions Papazisi: Athens, 1992.

[24] Labrianidis, L., Elements of Economic Geography, Editions Pattakis: Athens, 2002 (in Greek).

[25] Christaller, W., Some considerations of tourism location in Europe: the peripheral regions –underdeveloped countries – recreation areas. Papers of Regional Science Association, XII, pp. 95–105, 1963.

[26] Von Boventer, E., Land values and spatial structure. Papers of Regional Science, 18, pp. 231–242, 1966.

[27] Pearce, D., Tourism Today: A Geographical Analysis, Longman: London, 1991.

[28] Long, W.L., The economics of travel gravity models. Journal of Regional Science, 10(3), pp. 353–363, 1970.

[29] Gordon, I.R. & Edwards, S.L., Holiday trip generation. Journal of Transportation Economics and Policy, 7(2), pp. 153–168, 1973.

[30] Lagos, D., Tourism and regional development. Topos, 14, pp. 47–65, 1998 (in Greek).

[31] Clark, C., Wilson, F. & Bradley, J., Industrial location and economic potential in Western Europe. Regional Studies, 3, pp. 197–212, 1969.

[32] Keeble, D., Owens, P.C. & Tompson, C., Regional accessibility and economic potential in the European Community. Regional Studies, 16, pp. 419–432, 1982.

[33] Ministry of Finance, Strategic Plan for the Development of Railway Infrastructure – Greece 2010, Dromos Α.Ε.Μ., 2, 1993 (in Greek).

[34] Martin, C. & Witt, S., Accuracy of econometric forecasts of tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 16, pp. 407–428, 1989.

[35] Kavvadias, P., Indicators of Regional Development in Greece, KEPE: Athens, 1982 (in Greek).

[36] Everrit, B., Cluster Analysis, 3rd edition, Arnold: London, 1993.

[37] Hair, J., Andersan, R., Tatham, R. & Black, W., Multivariate Data Analysis with Readings, 5th edition, Prentice Hall, International, Inc.: NJ, USA, 1998.

[38] Laws, E., Conceptualizing visitor satisfaction management in heritage settings: an exploratory blueprinting analysis of Leeds Castle, Kent. Tourism Management, 19(6), pp. 545–554, 1998.

[39] Soutsas, K., Tsantopoulos, G., Arabatzis, G. & Christopoulou, O., Characteristics of tourism development in mountainous regions using the categorical regression: the case of Metsovo (Greece). International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 1, pp. 32–45, 2006.

[40] Papageorgiou, A. & Arabatzis, G., Protected natural areas and biodiversity in Greece: social, political and developmental dimensions. Scientifi c Annals of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment (Dedicated to Dr. L. Arvanitis, Emeritus Professor), A.U.Th. Vol. MA/1998, pp. 713–733, 1998.

[41] Norusis, M., SPSS 14.0: Statistical Procedures Companion, Prentice Hall: NJ, 2005.