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Writer: Goutzioupas Georgios

Title of the Study:

ACTIVETOURISMGREECE Leisure & Recreational Sporting Activities Entertainment, Culture, Responsibility

JULY 2012 (revised version AUGUST 2014)

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INTRODUCTION Leisure & Recreational Sporting Activities are boosting the development of Sports related Tourism in Greece, followed by Sporting Events and Sports Training purpose Travel Programs There are numerous leisure & recreational sporting activities but the ones with the bigger faculty to attract tourists in Greece are: 1) Under Water Sports, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling 2) Water/Sea Wind Sports, Wind Surfing, Kite Boarding, Sailing 3) Walking, Hiking, Trekking, Running 4) Cycling, Mountain Bike 5) Beach Sports, Beach Volley, Beach Handball, Beach Rackets, etc Tourists in Greece during their vacations spend the most of their time at the beaches. Water sports stations are located at the beaches providing windsurfing, kite boarding and scuba diving. Beaches also host beach recreational sports like beach volley or beach rackets. The most of the vacation resorts and hotels are located next to the beaches. All above facts means that beaches are the most important places for the development of Sports related Tourism in Greece. The natural habitat in Greece is mostly green and mountainous. Greece has the ability to offer quality hiking and cycling tours in a non urban but rural environment. The competitive factor for Greece is that the hiking and cycling routes/trails can include stops at archaeological sites and at the villages where you can taste the Greek cuisine. The biggest advantage of Greece as a destination for sports related vacations/holidays/tours, is the Greek islands. At the most of the islands the tourists can ride a bicycle or walk around doing the sightseeing and exploring all the secret natural treasures. At the Greek mainland there are plenty of routes for cycling or walking at sea side roads and at the mountain paths. Goutzioupas Georgios (mr) – Writers’ Synoptic CV He graduated from the University of Physical Education and Sports. He has a diploma at Sports Management. Since 1995 he organizes sporting, cultural and entertainment events. Since 2004 he is writing studies and researches for Sports Tourism. Some of them are: “All Ways Tourism”, European program in cooperation to Sports Tourism Research Unit of Greece, 1997, University of Crete and “Athens Classic Marathon / Runners’ profile”, in cooperation to the Greek Athletics Federation/SEGAS, 2007/8/9. He has been working in hotels for three years (2000/1/2) at Halkidiki, Kos and Rhodes islands. He was the Venue Services Manager during the ATHENS 2004 Summer Olympic Games and during the ATHENS 2011 World Summer Special Olympics. He has worked at an advertising agency in Athens (2005), planning the promotion for tourism destinations. From 2006 till 2008 he was the marketing manager for the Athens Classic Marathon event and from 2009 till 2011 he has been the project manager for the Marathon EXPO in Athens. From 2010 till 2012 he worked as an advisor to some Travel Agencies in Athens, developing sports related incoming packages/programs. He worked from 2013 to 2014 for the biggest resort hotel complex in Greece, the Navarino Dunes Costa Navarino, Messinia, Peloponnese region. Nowadays he is a free lancer working with hotels and travel agencies as a sports travel specialist. Contact the Writer: goutzioupas@gmail.com www.enter-greece.com TEL. 0030 6943 760 232

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SPORTS TRAVEL & TOURISM DEFINED What is the definition of Sports Travel & Tourism? The tours, the traveling, the vacations, of individuals or group of persons, including one night accommodation at a destination away from home place, related to the following motives: 1. Participating in leisure and recreational sporting activities, offered by professional providers / companies in organized facilities or outdoors 2. Watching or taking part in sporting events / races / tournaments / championships 3. Participating in sports training purpose programs (Goutzioupas Georgios, study «Sports Tourism, Facts in the Greece», 2006) Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance, Sport Events Congress 2008, Sport Tourism defined: ‘Any activity in which people are attracted to a particular location as a sport event participant, an event spectator, or to attend sport attractions or business meetings’. Dr. David De Villiers, Deputy Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization: “The concept “tourism sport” refers to a tourism activity with sport as the attraction, while “sport-tourism” refers to «sport as the activity and tourism as the result» (SETE, 3rd Conference on Tourism and Development, Athens, Greece, 11th October 2004). Why Sports Travel & Tourism is the fastest growing sector of tourism industry? Sports Travel & Tourism combines the two most popular social activities, Sports and Tourism (traveling), attracting more sports travelers every year. Sports tourism gains economic, social and cultural importance. The stakeholders of travel and tourism business are always seeking for new forms, new thematic products, new marketing ideas, and new ways to boost the consumption of travel and tourism services. They did recognize early the power of Sports Travel & Tourism, investing money and capitals, in a way to develop more products, events, to equip hotels and resorts with sports facilities and services. The main factors that support the growing of Sports Travel & Tourism sector (Gammon & Robinson, 1998) are: The rising popularity of the national and the international sporting events /

championships More and more sporting events are organized successfully around the world. The substantial contribution to human health ability that comes from the physical

activities / sports activities. This is a world accepted perception nowadays. Governmental authorities has recognized that sports is an important tool during the effort

to bond different states/countries or even a useful tool in foreign policy actions. The social profile of Sports Travelers Some of the Sports Travelers are connected into sports as amateur or professional athletes. Others are keen to sports and healthy life style. All of them need to purchase sports equipment (shoes, bicycles, golf sticks, etc). Sports Travelers are watching sporting events on television or like spectators at the stadiums. They like traveling, they put attention on the quality of the services provided, and they care for their physical condition, the shape of their body, the healthy nutrition. Sports Travelers have a middle-high social economic status. They prefer the 5 stars hotels for their accommodation, those ones with Spa and Wellness services.

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Sports Travelers - The Target Groups 1. Professional Sporting Federations, Organizations, Associations, Teams, Clubs 2. Amateur Sporting Federations, Organizations, Associations, Teams, Clubs 3. Professional Athletes and Trainers 4. Amateur Athletes and Trainers 5. Members of Gyms, Health and Fitness Centers 6. Students of Education Institutes, Universities and Schools 7. People with active profile (they work out occasionally at the public parks) 8. Members of Marine, Nautical and Sailing Clubs 9. People heavy smokers and people with fat/weight problems who are following medical treatments that include body work out 10. People with injury problems who are following medical treatments (like swimming) that include body work out, in order to strengthen their body 11. Members of Military Schools, Army Soldiers, Policemen, Fire Department Personnel and other Public Protection Organizations members, who need to be fit 12. People and families who like active holidays/vacations with entertainment sporting activities like beach games. People with an addiction to extreme sports and adrenaline 13. Hospitals, Medical Centers and Institutions, Physiotherapy Centers, Health Centers 14. NGOs focusing at health, physical activity, environment, Disable persons 15. Customers of stores selling sporting products Sports Travel & Tourism Stakeholders 1. Travel Agencies and Tour Operators 2. Thematic Sports Adventure Travel Agencies, Sport Leisure Holidays Agencies 3. Thematic Parks with sports leisure and recreation services / games 4. Companies that produce and distribute sport equipment 5. Agencies of Sporting Events Tickets and Open Events Registrations 6. Sport Management Companies, Companies promoting Outdoor Activities, like trekking, nature hiking, walking holidays, cycling tours, mountain ski vacations, etc 7. Sporting Facilities, Stadiums, Gym centers, Water Sports Stations, etc 8. Sporting Events / Races / Tournaments Organizing Companies and Bodies 9. Sports Community Sites, Internet websites selling sport products and sport travel packages 10. Hotels, Resorts, Camping Sites 11. Health centers, Hospitals, Physiotherapy center, Medical centers Wellness, SPA, Yoga, The Wellbeing Essence Nowadays travelers care for their body and their mind balance. Tour Operators are offering new holidays packages including spa treatments, body and facial treatments. Hotels adding new facilities to satisfy their guests needs. SPA and Thalassotherapy facilities and centers are the perfect investment for beach and mountain resorts. Next to the fitness center there should be a sophisticated Wellness center, at the modern travel and tourism trend. Yoga movement is rising very fast worldwide. Yoga and meditation retreats are offering at the islands and the nature resorts. They yoga enthusiasts are looking for fantastic views, green pure sceneries and landscapes, quite ambient. Yoga platform with wood for outdoor classes and a minimal indoor hall are enough for yoga groups (10 to 20 persons).

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SPORTING ACTIVITIES DESCRIPTION There are two main factors that influence the opinion of which sporting activities match better to the Greek destinations. The first factor is which sporting activities can be organized in the special natural habitat, the environment, the geography and the landscape of Greece. The second factor is which sporting activities have the bigger demand from the international travel market and the most popular ones at the same time. Underwater activities like scuba diving and snorkeling or wind water activities like wind surfing, kite boarding and sailing, are sporting activities that match to the Greek geography profile, which consisted by: The Greek Polynesia with about 100 medium or bigger islands inhabited and more or less 1000 virgin islets at the Aegean Archipelago and the Ionian Sea. The endless coast line and the countless beaches. The crystal blue and safe waters. The rich under water life. All types of recreational activities by foot like walking/hiking/trekking/running or cycling at roads and trails in a non urban but natural environment, these are sporting activities that match to the Greek special natural habitat and the rural landscape, which consisted by: The green forests and mountain villages, rich flora and fauna. The numerous wonderful historical and cultural sites throughout the walking or cycling routes / trails. The local food products, well known for their rich nutrition value Another group of recreational activities that match to the Greek touristic destinations is the Beach Sports like beach volley, beach rackets, beach handball, etc. They are crucial in a way to attract the sports travelers, because the beach sports give the entertainment to the sports travelers. After all, the beaches are the most important locations for the development of Sports Travel & Tourism in Greece. Sporting Activities Characteristics 1) Under Water Sports, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling The research unit of Queensland Australia Tourism Body (www.tq.com.au/research) gives the following definition about traveling related to diving activities: “Dive tourism is travel where at least one scuba diving expedition is included”. There are two main types of Recreational Diving: Α) Scuba (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) Diving. Using scuba, divers can stay underwater for a long but certain time. A typical diving duration is about 50 minutes. The depths of the recreational dives are from 3 meters to 30 meters. Scuba diving is a very popular activity worldwide, with many million enthusiasts. Diving gives pleasure and adrenaline at the same time to the divers. That is one basic reason to get addicted – in a way – to scuba diving activity. At the beginner’s level, everybody is welcomed; there is no need for special skills or a diploma but the good level of swimming. The instructor teaches the basic principles of scuba diving and the safe diving. During advanced levels, the divers learn about different kinds of diving techniques, take diplomas and can make dives without the attention of any instructor. The most important rule for every diver at any dive, is that you can never dive alone, meaning that two divers is the minimum limit for every safe dive. Special equipment is needed for scuba diving. The diver can rent all equipment at Scuba Diving Centers / Stations. The beginner’s lessons can be done in a pool or in the waters close to the beach. For advanced programs, the divers get in a boat that leads them at the diving spots. Types of diving programs: technical diving, wreck scuba diving, cave scuba diving, photo scuba diving, underwater archaeological sites, live boards, underwater life watching.

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B) Snorkeling or Free Diving, without any equipment, using only a diving mask. This is a much easier activity from scuba diving. Snorkeling is an activity open for every person that can swim. There is no need for a scuba diving diploma. The depths of the snorkeling are from 1 meter to 5 meters and the dives lasts for some seconds or minutes. Snorkeling is a leisure & recreational activity, it is often comes along the scuba diving programs or the sailing tours. It is an activity easy to do at every sea side place, but not in cold waters. It gives pleasure to the divers just watching the underwater life. Scuba diving programs can be operated all year round, 12 months. The only factor that everyone should notice is the water temperature; it must be from 10 to 25 Celsius degrees. The recreational scuba diving programs are provided from Diving Centers / Stations / Academies, which are located at touristic resort and sea side places. The most of the times diving facilities are build on or next to the beaches in hotels and resorts. Greece has numerous locations for scuba diving. The most important are: Attica and the Argosaronic islands, Crete, Ionian islands, Paros, Sporades islands, Kos, Rhodes, Samos, Halkidiki, Peloponnese (Argolida and Messenia). Scuba Divers Profile and international Destinations According the data from Queensland Australia Tourism Body (www.tq.com.au/research): 60% of certified scuba divers are in ages from 15 to 34. 2/3 of certified scuba divers are men. The most of the scuba divers are traveling abroad, half of them travel alone and half of them travel with other divers. During their vacations, scuba diving travelers prefer the following activities: staying at the beaches (75%), eating at restaurants out of hotels (68%), visiting sightseeing (49%), hiking at nature trails (36%), nightlife (35%) and shopping (33%). The countries where scuba diving is very popular are: USA, UK, France, Germany, and Australia. The countries which are the most well known as diving travel destinations are: Caribbean islands, Thailand, Maldives islands, Mexico, Egypt, Greece and Spain. At the countries of European Union there are 3.5 million certified scuba divers and 20 million worldwide (2010, PADI, Professional Association of Diving Instructors). 2) Water/Sea Wind Sports, Wind Surfing, Kite Boarding, Sailing Water or Sea Wind Sports are very popular around the world and they mobilize millions of sports travelers. Kite Boarding is rising very strongly the last decade and Wind Surfing for the last 20 years globally. Sailing is an activity that became very trendy as a recreational touristic product since 1970 and remains one of the most lifestyle sporting activities. All these three activities can become an addiction for the sports travelers, because they contain experiences with big adrenaline and emotions. A new product connected to Sailing is the Sailing Yoga cruises. Yoga is a blooming activity and very easy to be operated on board. Water Sports Centers / Stations / Clubs are located at the beaches and very common in cooperation with hotels and resorts. The most of the times, depending the geographical location and the wind conditions, waters sports centers are operating 7 to 9 months in a year period. In Greece the most suitable months are from March to November. Greece is a well known destination for water and sea sports. There are a lot of places popular for the quality of water sports, like Rhodes, Samos, Limnos, Lefkada, Naxos, Paros, Kos, Karpathos, Crete, Lesvos, Mykonos, Leros, Ikaria and Peloponnese. Sports Travelers Profile and international Destinations 80% of the Windsurfing and Kite Boarding travelers are men and 20% are women. The majority of them are between 20 to 40 years old and singles. Sailing travelers are more balanced for men and women. They are middle aged mostly. Their vacations lasts more than the average holiday package. The countries where sea sports are very popular are: USA, Australia, France, Poland, Italy, UK, Germany and Austria. The countries which are the most well known as sea sports travel destinations are: South Africa, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Argentina, Hawaii, USA and Portugal.

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Side Waters Sports They are water sports that have not the power to attract sports travelers. Side water sports bring significant profits to the Water Sports Centers and the hotels because they are the alternative entertainment recreation services for sports travelers. The most important are: Stand Up Paddling/S.U.P., Dinghy Sailing, Jet Ski, Water Skiing, Wake Board, Canoe-Kayak, Rings, Tubes, Sea Bikes. 3) Walking, Hiking, Trekking, Running Outdoor Sports by foot are very popular at all countries and at all ages, especially for the elders. These activities are the most easy to operate and the less expensive, in comparison other sports. Walking, hiking, trekking and running are taking place as recreational activities the most of the times in a natural environment, at green parks, at mountain trails, at gorges, at coast lines next to lakes or rivers or beaches. The main reason that these activities become more and more popular is because people living in big cities (urban environment) and they need experiences at natural green environment. The best way to get connected is wondering around on foot. It is not an intense physical activity and that is the reason that attracts everyone. During the walking/hiking/trekking routes sports travelers have the chance to stop and visit historical sites, castles, churches, villages, etc A hiking recreational program usually lasts from 2 to 7 days. There is no restriction for the seasons of the hiking programs. During the day, a hiking route normally lasts 2 or 4 or 6 hours, due the physical level of the sports travelers. The difference between hiking and trekking programs is the elevation of the routes. At the trekking programs the routes goes more than 900 meters high. The most popular destinations in Greece are: Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Naxos, Chios, Lesvos, Olympus mount, Pilio mount, Taigetos mount, Zagori and Plastira lake. Running become very important for the world sports tourism market, when the participants at the open races where massive, thousands of runners. From that moment at the begging of 2000, the stakeholders produce specialized services for the runners/sports travelers. Nowadays there are many travel agencies mobilize millions of runners and marathon runners. Sports Travelers Profile and international Destinations The average age profile for hike travelers is from 35 to 50 years old. They are men in 60% and women in 40%. Most of them are married (70%). The countries where hiking is very popular are: France, Germany, Scandinavia, Holland and UK. The countries which are the most well known as hiking travel destinations are: Austria, Croatia, Italy, France and Spain. 4) Cycling, Mountain Bike Cycling travel and tourism is a fruit able business the last two decades in Europe. It helps local societies to develop their economies, it supports the ecology model. It supports the internal tourism and the incoming travel as well. Cycling tourism can be defined: the type of tourism that includes recreational cycling as the main activity during the vacation everyday program. The most of the times cycling routes are planned in low traffic public roads which are located outdoors, away from the bug cities, at sea side roads, at non asphalt roads, at mountain and forest trails. There are many cities in Europe that have implemented a comprehensive cycling routes network but unfortunately not in Greece. Mountain bike is getting very popular. It is operated at mountainous areas, villages, forest trails. There are some countries that have developed a great network of cycling routes: Germany 76.000 km, Holland 50.000 km, Denmark 12.500 km, UK - National Cycle Network 10.500 km, Switherland 8.500 km.

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In Greece the places that attract cycling travelers are: Crete, Corfu, Naxos, Chios, Lesvos, Messenia-Peloponnese, Volos, Kos. The places with a big cycling population are: Larisa, Trikala, Volos, Karditsa, Kalamata, Kos. Cycling – Mountain Bike Travelers Profile and international Destinations Cycling travelers like during their vacations to visit museums, to shop local products and to visit the historical sites. The age profile is from 30 to 55 years old. One basic reason for a cyclist to choose a hotel is to give him a safe area to store or to park the bike. The cycling programs lasts up to 4 days. The European countries that host the most of the cycling travelers are: Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Italy, and Spain. The same countries develop the internal cycling tourism as well. Cycling Travel Market Figures & Facts In year 2000 there were 200 million bicycles at all countries of European Union, where the population was 493 million and 160 million cars/automobiles (Eurostat, Les Ludson, 2000, Transport and tourism: Cycle tourism – a model for sustainable development in Journal of sustainable tourism, Vol. 8 No 5). In year 2004 the figures for overnights related to cycling travel & tourism, in Europe: France 9.900.000, Germany 5.700.000, Spain 2.700.000, Sweden 1.500.000, Holland 1.000.000, Austria 600.000, UK 600.000, Finland 600.000, Switzerland 500.000, Italy 500.000, Denmark 400.000, Norway 300.000, Poland 300.000, Hungary 200.000, Czech Republic 200.000, Bulgaria 100.000, Belgium 100.000, Greece 100.000, Ireland 100.000, Portugal 100.000 & Romania 100.000 (Expert estimates, Eurostat 2008, Peeters et al. 2004). 25,6 million cycling related travels in one year at all 27 European Union countries (EUROPEAN CYCLE TOURISM: TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT? Eke Eijgelaar 1, Paul Peeters1 and Pieter Piket1 1Centre for Sustainable Tourism and Transport, NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands). Facts for cycling tourism: 3% from overall overnights during vacations in Europe, comes from cycling travelers. At

Rhineland of Germany the percentage is 10% (EP 2009, ETI 2007) and at Holland the percentage is 4% (CBS 2008; Fietsplatform).

In Holland 26% from overall travel is happening by bicycles but in UK only 2% (Cycling in the Netherlands”, Fietsberaad, 2009; www.bicyclecouncil.org).

The cyclists in Holland is doing 2,3km every day but in Spain only 100 meters (European Commission, DG Transport; 2002, EU energy and transport in figures, pocketbook).

In Germany, the revenues from Cycling Travel & Tourism market were 5 billion euros at year 2000 and 9 billion euros at year 2009. The investments for infrastructure in cycling tourism can bring back the value in less than 2 years time (2005 figure: ADFC estimation, 2009 figure: DTV – Grundlagenuntersuchung “Fahrradtourismus in Deutschland” www.deutschertourismusverband.de/index.php?pageId=10079, “Regionalwirtschaftliche Effekte des Radtourismus in Rheinland-Pfalz”, Europaisches Tourismus Institut 2007).

In UK, during 2006 have been done 450.000 cycling related travels from British citizens. 2.500.000 British citizens have at least one cycling experience during their vacations (www.sustrans.org.uk, www.wikipedia.com).

5) Beach Sports, Beach Volley, Beach Handball, Beach Rackets, etc The travelers during their vacations in Greece tend to spend the most of their time at the beaches, which are located either at the seaside of the hotels or at the public coastline. The last decade the profile of the travelers is changing, from the passive holidays to the active holidays. The travelers’ trends nowadays want more activities at the beaches, at the hotels

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and outdoors. The best way to combine the need for entertainment and the need for adrenaline is to provide beach sports to the travelers. All ages, men and female, all physical levels can participate to beach sports, and that is one more reason for their big popularity. Some of them are:

1. Βeach Volley 2. Βeach Rackets 3. Βeach Soccer 4. Βeach Handball 5. Βeach Jogging 6. Beach Outdoor Fitness

Other Leisure and Recreational Activities Besides the 5 main groups of sporting activities (as referred above), there are many more activities that have the ability to attract sports travelers: Climbing Mountaineering Rappel Snow skiing Snowboarding Horse Riding Golf Air sports Lake Canoe Kayak Rowing River rafting Sea Cruises that offer sporting programs on shore and on board like yoga, cycling,

walking tours, snorkeling, diving There are some destinations in Greece that offer a high level of services and natural landscapes for these activities. For example, Kalymnos island is a world famous destination for rock climbing.

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SPORTS’ RELATED HOTELS Sports’ related Resort / Hotels are not the same to Vacations’ Resorts / Hotels, because their facilities and services target: a) the customers who want active vacations, b) the customers who care for their body health and fitness. A sports customer is different from the average customer in the hotels, because he will purchase sporting services in a daily basis and not by random occasions. There are three categories in sports hotels/resorts. The first category is developing leisure and recreational sporting activities, the second category is developing also sporting facilities for training purposes and the third category is organizing also open sporting events / races / tournaments. The latest trend in Sports hotels is the combination of sporting activities with spa/wellness services and activities like yoga, Pilates, special healthy nutrition menu. The countries where sports hotels are flourishing are: Italy, Spain, France, Austria, and Portugal. Social image policies are a new factor for the success of hotels and resorts nowadays. Sports hotels should follow this new marketing tactic, collaborate with Non Governmental Organizations and care for the protection of the environment. At sports hotels there is working a special personnel, with diplomas at Universities of physical education and training and professionals at each sport: • Trainers/Instructors per sport • Sports Manager and Sports Marketing • Sports Administrator and Reservations • Water / Sea Sports Station Manager • Scuba Diving Station Manager • Gym, Fitness & Training Centre Head • Sports Tours Manager, Escort and Guide • Physiotherapist and Ergo therapist • Lifeguard, Diet Scientist and Yoga Master • Spa and Wellness Manager • Massage Manager Sports hotels are developing indoor and outdoor sporting facilities and modern sports equipment for rental:

Gym, Fitness & Training Centre Bike Station Spa, Health, Wellness Centre Water Sports Station Sports Retail Shop Swimming Pools (indoor, outdoor) Pilates, Yoga & Dance Rooms Medical & First Aids Rooms Beach Volley Courts Beach Tennis Courts Beach Soccer Courts Beach Basket Courts Scuba Diving Station Tennis Courts Mini Football, Bocce Courts Badminton Courts Table Tennis Rooms Darts Playroom, Internet Room Skate / Roller / BMX Stage Mini Golf Courts

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PROPOSED MODEL FOR THE SPORTS TOURISM PRODUCT OF GREECE ACTIVE TOURISM GREECE The Advantages of Greece, as an international tourism destination The proposed Model for the Sports Tourism Product of Greece should promote Greece’s advantages: The Greek Polynesia (numerous islands) The natural trails at the green environment The warm summer weather and the mild winter weather

The monuments of nature, like Gorges (the biggest in Europe)

The Mediterranean Greek Cuisine The endless coast line and their beaches The contribution in world sciences (medicine) and arts (theater, music, dance)

The impressive Mountains in Mainland and in the islands

The historic monuments (world heritage) from Ancient Greece era, Byzantium era, Medieval

The protected parks for wild animals (sea turtles)

The birth place of Olympic Games, the world Sports History, The ancient Stadiums

The safe swimming activity at the crystal waters in the Greek seas

The Greek Mythology History The rich life of underwater world The easy living at the touristic destinations The flora and fauna diversity The hospitality spirit from Greeks Safe living experience

Τhree additional Thematic Elements for the proposed Model of Sports Tourism Product of Greece Accommodation and transportation is the core travel product. The proposed model of Sports Tourism Product should include 3 thematic elements, which makes the travel experience value for money and makes the product competitive internationally:

1. Entertainment 2. Culture 3. Responsibility

These three elements will be described below, presenting some good practices: The Entertainment Element Getting in touch with the warm and hospital Greek human resource Excursions / tours at the Greek islands, which are located very close from every

destination in the mainland of Greece (using ferry boats, sailing boats or yachts) Fun activities during staying at the beaches, like swimming at the safe and crystal

waters, getting to know other tourists, beach sports, consuming natural fruit juices, celebration feeling with music and dance

Nightlife entertainment visiting bars, music clubs or live Greek shows Shopping at local products’ markets, souvenirs, commemoratives, jewelry, etc

The Culture Element During a hiking or a cycling outdoors tour/trail/route, travelers could make stops at

the archaeological and historical sites. This is an alternative experience from visiting the sites by a coach/bus on a typical group’s tour

During a hiking or a cycling outdoors tour/trail/tour, travelers could make stops at the “natura” sites (protected parks), green forest, lakes, mountain platos. This is a

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wonderful experience where travelers can touch a flower, can get familiar to the olive oil tree, to watch a deer or to hear the sounds of the birds

Visiting museums, watching live theatrical performances at the original theaters (built 3.000 years ago), watching music events and arts’ festivals (all over Greece are organized by local communities during Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter periods

Visiting places where local food or drinks goods are produced, like honey, wine, grapes, olive oils, etc. A traveler could watch the production steps / making of procedure

Getting familiar with the Greek cuisine, which is the base for the Mediterranean cuisine? It is proven by researches that Med cuisine is the most healthy food globally

The Responsibility Element The reason of choosing the title Active Tourism Greece, for the proposed model According international bibliography and studies, the definition for Active Tourism is including elements like sporting activities (energetic vacations), entertainment and culture experiences, but the main element that makes the difference is the responsibility value. Meaning that the traveler cares for the protection of the natural environment, this is an eco friendly profile. Also, the traveler cares for the local society, the place and the people of his vacations’. The website www.travel-industry-dictionary.com, defines active tourism: «A style or philosophy of leisure travel that combines elements of adventure, nature, and cultural tourism, with an emphasis on low-impact & sustainable tourism and the use of local guides». The actions, the responsible way to behave during vacation time, the personality of every active traveler are making Active Tourism. Here are some good practices:

The visitors are interested in the local community problems The visitors are taking part to different events organized by the local community The visitors are willing to have many conversations with locals, aiming to develop

personal relationships The active person really cares for the destination he visits and tries his best to contribute in any means.

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ACTIVETOURISMGREECE – The Product’ Synopsis

The most popular destination for Active Holidays: Crete island, Athens-Attica, all Greek islands, Ancient Olympia, Messinia, Pelio peninsula, Halkidiki peninsula The most popular Sporting Activities during Active Holidays: Walking, Hiking, Trekking, Running, Cycling, Mountain Bike, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Water Sports, Beach Sports

Sporting Events and Races to participate: Running Races (Marathons, Half Marathons), Triathlon races, Cycling races, Water Sports races, Sailing events (Aegean Regatta), Beach Volley tournaments

Tours for Active Travelers: Ancient stadiums, like ancient Olympia, ancient Messene, Delfi, Nemea. Castles and museums. Mountain trails and paths. Forest. Sites with ecological interest. Coastlines. Traditional villages. Rural areas, like olive oil trees. Wineries. Thematic parks, water parks, Golf clubs, Sporting facilities

Accommodation and Food Habits: α) They use to stay at hotels and resorts with high quality services, like wellness, spa, gym, pools, scuba diving station, water sports, beach sports, bike station, etc. β) They prefer also, small hotels and apartments at mountain areas, not busy but close to nature environment, using outdoor activities, mountain bike tours, hiking tours, etc γ) Food is very crucial for the active profile travelers. They prefer healthy cuisine, Mediterranean diet, and Greek foods like fish, vegetables, fruits, olive oil, wine, cheese

Activities to Participate during your holidays: Tours and visits at Natura protected places, watching wild animals, like sea turtles, birds and deer. Seminars organized by NGOs. Volunteer actions organized by local communities, like cleaning the beaches or the forests. Charity events

Leisure and Entertainment Activities: Cruises at the Greek islands, theatrical and music events, swimming at the sea waters, games at the sandy beaches, night walks nest to the coast, dancing at clubs and bars, learning Greek dances, shopping at local markets, Greek cuisine

Wellness: SPA facilities, Thalassotherapy, Sauna, Massage treatments, Yoga, Meditation, Body Fitness, Pilates

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Destinations of Greece – Leisure & Recreational Sporting Activities

Scuba

Diving-Snorkelling

Windsurfing-Kiteboarding-

Sailing

Walking-Hiking-

Trekking-Running

Cycling-Mountain

Bike

Beach Sports

East Macedonia & Thrace

Drama Evros Kavala Xanthi Rodopi Central Macedonia

Imathia Thessaloniki

Kilkis Pella Pieria Serres Chalkidiki West Macedonia

Grevena Kastoria Kozani Florina Ipiros Arta

Thesprotia Ioannina Preveza

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Scuba

Diving-Snorkelling

Windsurfing-Kiteboarding-

Sailing

Walking-Hiking-

Trekking-Running

Cycling-Mountain

Bike

Beach Sports

Thessaly Karditsa Larisa Magnisia

Trikala Ionian Islands

Zakynthos Corfu Kefalonia Lefkada Western Greece

Etoloakarnania Achaia Ilia Central Greece

Viotia Evia Evriatania

Fthiotida Fokida Peloponnese Argolida Arkadia Korinthia Lakonia Messinia

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Scuba

Diving-Snorkelling

Windsurfing-Kiteboarding-

Sailing

Walking-Hiking-

Trekking-Running

Cycling-Mountain

Bike

Beach Sports

North Aegean

Lesvos Samos Chios South Aegean

Cyclades

Dodecanese Crete Heraklio Lasithi Rethymno Chania Attica North Athens West Athens Central Athens South Athens

East Athens Piraeus Attica Islands

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Bibliography

SETE, 3rd Conference on Tourism and Development, Athens, Greece, 11th October 2004, David De Villiers, Deputy Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization

Gammon & Robinson, 1998

Goutzioupas Georgios, study «The sport tourism product of Greece», 2006 και 2008

Terzakis Dimitris, Research Unit of Greece, Technological University, Crete, 2004

www.climbing-greece.com

www.kalymnosclimbingguide.com

Windsurfing & Kitesurfing as key factors in the economical development in local communities: Practical

case of Tarifa (Andalusia, Spain), by Marina de Miguel Garcia, 2007, Bournemouth University, Ολλανδία

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Julie Fraietta, Tourism Research Analyst, May 2004, Canada

EP 2009, ETI 2007, CBS 2008; Fietsplatform 2009

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2005 figure: ADFC estimation, 2009 figure: DTV – Grundlagenuntersuchung “Fahrradtourismus in Deutschland”http://www.deutschertourismusverband.de/index.php?pageId=10079,“Regionalwirtschaftliche Effekte des Radtourismus in Rheinland-Pfalz”,study Europaisches Tourismus Institut 2007

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Paco Borao, AIMS President, Member of IAAF RR Commission, AIMS Marathon Symposium 2007,

Μαραθώνας

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On the economic impacts of Classic Marathon events on their organizing cities and local communities, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maennig, 1st AIMS Marathon Symposium 2007

www.tourism-intelligence.co.uk

www.golfexpo.bg/ en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=49

A UK Golfer Segmentation, Visit Scotland, Scott Porter Research and Marketing 2006

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KPMG Golf Travel Insight 2008

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18

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THE EUROPEAN CYCLE ROUTE NETWORK EUROVELO, 2009, www.europarl.europa.eu/ studies, Institute

of Transport and Tourism, University of Central Lancashire, UK, Centre for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Breda University, the Netherlands

www.london-marathon.co.uk

Belek Tourism Investors Association, BETUYAB (2010)

Golf Advisory Practice EMA, 2007

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by Herman Cesar, Cesar Environmental Economics Consulting, submitted to the Egyptian Environmental Policy Program Executive Committee and USAID/Egypt

Chamber of Diving and Watersports - www.cdws.travel/diving/destinations/hurghada

www.turismodecanarias.com

www.dbio.ulpgc.es

Apostolopoulos Y., Sevil S., 2001, ΄΄Greek Tourism on the Brink΄΄: Restructing or Stagnation and Decline?

in Apostolopoulos Y., Loukissas P., Leontidou L., Mediterranean Tourism: Facets of Socioeconomic Development and Cultural Change., London, Routledge.

Donatos G., Zairis P., 1991, ΄΄Seasonality of Foreign Tourism in the Greek Islands of Crete΄΄, Annals of

Tourism Research.

Ioannides Dimitri, 2002, ΄΄Tourism Development in Mediterranean Islands: Opportunities and Constraints΄΄, in Y. Apostolopoulos, D. J. Gayle, Island Tourism and Sustainable Development : Caribbean, Pacific, Mediterranean Experiences. London, Praeger.

Komilis P., 1994, ΄΄Tourism and Sustainable Regional Development΄΄, in A. V. Seaton, C. L. Jenkins, R.

C. Wood, P. U. C. Dieke, M. M. Bennett, L. R. MacLellan, R. Smith, Tourism : The State of the Art. New York, John Wiley & Sons.

Loukissas P., Triantafyllopoulos N., 2002, ΄΄Island-Community Involment in Tourism Land-Use Planning΄΄,

in Y. Apostolopoulos, D. J. Gayle, Island Tourism and Sustainable Development : Caribbean, Pacific, Mediterranean Experiences. London, Praeger.

Jacobsen Jens Kristian Steen, 2000, ΄΄Anti Tourist Attidudes, Mediterranean Charter Tourism΄΄, Annals of

Tourism Research.

Diamantopoulos Dimitrios, 2000, ΄΄Ecotourism and sustainability in Mediterranean Islands΄΄, Thunderbird International Business Review.

Buhalis D., Cooper C., 1998, ΄΄Competition or co-operation?, Small and medium sized enterprises at the

destination΄΄, in Laws E., Faulkner B., Embracing and Managing change in Tourism, London, Routledge.

Buhalis D., 2000, ΄΄Relationships in the distribution channel of tourism, conflicts between Hoteliers and Tour Operators in the Mediterranean region΄΄, International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Administration.

Pridham G., 2001, ΄΄Tourism policy and Sustainability in Italy, Spain and Greece. A comparative politics

prespective΄΄, in Eder Klaus, Kousis Mario, Environmental Politics in Southern Europe, Actors Institutions and Discourses in a Europeanizing Society, Amsterdam, Kluwer Academic Publishers.

΄΄Olympic Games and Tourism, leveraging the Sydney Olympics for Tourism΄΄, Economic Impact Study at

the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Loukissas L.N., ΄΄Athens 2004 Olympic Games and Hotel Development΄΄, University of Surrey.

19

Ross Biddiscombe,΄΄The Business of Sport Tourism ΄΄, 2004, Publisher Chris Barnes, Sport Business Group Limited.

www.wto.org, World Tourism Organisation.

www.visitcostadelsol.com, theme tourism.

www.europa.eu.int, tourism and the EU.

www.ruralheritage.org, Heritage Tourism Program.

www.unep.org, Biodiversity Planning Support Program, Guide to the best practices for sectoral

intergration, intergrating biodiversity into the tourism sector.

www.tourism-site.org, Network for the Sustainable Development of Tourism Destinations in Europe, Management Report.

www.earthsummit2002.org, Sustainable Tourism, Turning the Tide.

www.forum.europa.eu.int, Classification of Tourism activities NACE, REV1, SICTA and products.

www.worldleisure.org, introduction.

www.bigearthadventure.com, Big Earth Adventure Travel is a full service.

www.tourismsport.com, Ecotourism and Sports ‘’The project’’.

www.wttc.org, World Travel and Tourism Council, executive summary, Travel and Tourism forging ahead,

the 2004 Travel and Tourism Research.

www.sptourism.net, official site of the International Sports Tourism Council.

www.sport-travel.com, CSTT Sports Management Int’l.

www.csta.com, Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA).

www.geocities.com, Greek trade index.

www.traveldailynews.com

www.poet.gr

www.web-greece.gr

www.visitcyprus.org.cy

www.sport-tourism.com

www.visitgreece.gr

www.hatta.gr, www.sete.gr

www.sport.gov.gr

www.gtp.gr

Writer: mr. Goutzioupas Georgios

JULY 2012 (revised version AUGUST 2014)