epirus basic features

EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation

EPIRUS: Basic Features

THE REGION OF EPIRUS

Basic Features

Ioannina, November 1996



Table of Contents 1. Introduction......................................................................................................................1

2. Population Characteristics.............................................................................................5 2.1 Evolution of the Population.........................................................................................5

2.2 Urban, Semi-urban and Rural Population ..................................................................10

2.3 Population bt Age-group and Sex ..............................................................................14

3. Natural Resources...........................................................................................................17 3.1 Geomorphology..........................................................................................................17

3.2 Mountains ...................................................................................................................18

3.3 Water Resources........................................................................................................19

3.4 Vegetation ..................................................................................................................20

3.5 Flora and Fauna .........................................................................................................20

3.6 Mineral Resources .....................................................................................................22

3.7 Pollution of the Environment ......................................................................................23

4. Natural, Cultural and Other Attractions ........................................................................24 4.1 Natural Attractions......................................................................................................24

4.2 Cultural Attractions .....................................................................................................28

4.3 Other Attractions.........................................................................................................31

5. Infrastructure ...................................................................................................................32 5.1 Settlements.................................................................................................................32

5.2 Education....................................................................................................................32

5.3 Health .........................................................................................................................34

5.4 Transportation Infrastructure......................................................................................35

5.4.1 Roads...............................................................................................................35

5.4.2 Harbours ..........................................................................................................38

5.4.3 Airports.............................................................................................................38

5.4.4 Railways ..........................................................................................................39

5.5 Telecommunications Infrastructure ............................................................................39

6. The Economy ...................................................................................................................40 6.1 Primary Sector............................................................................................................40

6.2 Secondary Sector.......................................................................................................42

6.3 Tertiary Sector ............................................................................................................48

6.4 Basic Economic Indices .............................................................................................50

APPENDICES Appendix A ............................................................................................................................52



1. Introduction The region of Epirus is located in the northwest of Greece and is bordered by the Ionian Sea

to the west, the Pindus mountain-range to the east and Albania to the north. It includes the

prefectures of Ioannina, Thesprotia, Arta and Preveza. According to the 1991 census, the

region has a population of 339,047 inhabitants which represents approximately 3.3% of the

total population of Greece. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions of Greece with a

population density of 36.8 inhabitants per square kilometre, compared to a national average

of 77.71.

The geomorphology of Epirus is largely mountainous, with an abundance of surface waters

(rivers, lakes and lagoons), extensive forests and unique flora and fauna. The total area of

Epirus is 9,203 square kilometres of which 9,7% is flat land, 12,9% is semi-mountainous and

the remainder is mountainous2. Although figures vary according to the source used,

approximately 15% of the land area is devoted to agricultural holdings, 55% is covered by

grassland and used for mountain grazing, 26% is covered by forests and 2.5% is covered by

surface waters3. Urban and related activities account for the use of the remainder of the land.

The region is dominated by the mountain-range of Pindus whose highest peak reaches

approximately 2.6004. Pindus, which enters Greece from Albania, constitutes a natural barrier

to the east between Epirus and the rest of Greece and is the main reason for the region’s

historic isolation. In general, the region has poor communication routes both internally and

externally. On the west coast of the region, the port of Igoumenitsa lacks the necessary

infrastructure to service large numbers of passengers and large volumes of freight

merchandise and is not connected to the rest of Greece by adequate transportation networks.

The port of Preveza, although well organised, cannot be expanded since it is located in the

Amvrakikos Bay, which is protected under the Ramsar Treaty. The rather long and

cumbersome route toward southern Greece is interrupted by the sea passage of Rio-

Antirrion, which is sensitive to weather conditions.

The climate of Epirus is Mediterranean in the west and south, with hot summers and cold

winters in central Epirus and cold in the mountainous regions, where both rainfall and

snowfall are commonplace. The mountain-range of Pindus is covered by snow year-round.

The region of Epirus is traditionally described as underdeveloped5. It is characterised by low

birth rates, aging of the population, a wide dispersion and polarisation of settlements and a

1Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, Ioannina, December, 1993, p.11(hereinafter, Regional job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus) 2Regional job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 8. 3Human Resources & Communication Highways, Symposium & Workshops, Metsovo, May 8-12, 1992-Proceedings, Workshop 3-Human Resources, Chapter 1, p. 382 (hereinafter, Human Recourses). 4Prefecture of Ioannina-Proposals for Land Use Planning (Summary Structural Intervention Plan)-Athens, May 1984. 5Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 10.



tendency towards the accumulation of the population in urban and semi-urban areas6. It is

considered one of the most problematic regions in the European Union (EU) with an EU

ranking of 13 for the year 1987 and an EU index of 54.4. Indices on the basis of Gross

Regional Product (GRP) place Epirus in last place with a GRP index of 73.8 for the year 1974

and 81.4 for the year 1981 (on the basis of a GRP index of 73.8 for the year 1974 and 81.4

for the year 1981 (on the basis of a GRP index of 100 for Greece as a whole)7.

6Human Resources, Workshop 1-Information and technologies, Chapter 3, p. 167-168. 7Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 10.



2. Population Characteristics 2.1 Evolution of the Population The population of Epirus, in 1991, was 339,047 inhabitants8. The evolution of the region’s

population as compared to the evolution of Greece’s population from 1951 through to 1991 is

shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Population of Epirus 1951-1991

TERRITORIAL

UNIT/YEAR

1951

1961

1971

1981

1991

Epirus 330.543 352.604 310.334

324.541 339.037

Greece 7.632.801 8.388.553 8.768.641

9.740.417 10.256.464

Source: NSO Table 2 and Diagram 1 present the evolution of the region’s population by prefecture for the

years 1951 through to 1991 and Table 2A presents the yearly rates of increase or decrease

of the region’s population by prefecture for the same period.

Table 2: Population of Epirus by Prefecture 1951-1991

TERRITORIAL

UNIT/YEAR

1951

1961

1971

1981

1991

Prefecture of Ioannina

153,748

155,326

134,688

147,304

157,214

Prefecture of Thesprotia

47,299

52,125

40,684

41,278

44,413

Prefecture of Arta

72,717

82,630

78,376

80,044

78,884

Prefecture of Preveza

56,779

62,523

56,586

55,915

58,536

Epirus

330.543

352.604

310.334

324.541

339.037

Greece

7.632.801

8.388.553

8.768.641

9.740.417

10.256.464

Source: NSO, Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus.

8National Statistical Office, Census Results 1991.



Diagram 1: Population Growth

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Ioannina Thesprotia Arta Preveza Epirus

1951 1961 1971 1981 1991

Table 2A: Average Yearly Rate of Change of the Population of Epirus by

Prefecture (expressed in %)

TERRITORIAL

UNIT/YEAR

1951-1961

1961-1971

1971-1981

1981-1991

1951-1991


0.10

-1.42

0.90

0.65

0.06


0.98

-2.45

0.15

0.69

-0.17

Prefecture of Arta

1.29

-0.53

0.21

-0.15

0.20


0.97

-0.99

-0.12

0.52

0.09

Epirus

0.64

-1.27

0.45

0.44

0.26

Greece

0.95

0.44

1.06

0.52

0.73

Source: Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p.12.

During the period of 1951-1961, the population of all of the prefectures of Epirus increased.

The yearly rates of increase for the prefectures of Arta, Thesprotia and Preveza were higher

than the corresponding rate of increase for the country as a whole. The period of 1961-1971

is marked by a rather dramatic decrease in the population of the region and each of its

prefectures. Although this decrease is reversed in the next two decades, the population of the



region as a whole, in 1991, has not reached its 1961 level. During the period of 1971-1981,

the yearly rate of increase of the population of all of the prefectures of the region was equal to

or greater than the corresponding rate of increase for the country as a whole, with the

exception of the prefecture of Arta whose population declined.

In 1991, the population of Epirus represented close to 3.3% of the total population of Greece

compared to 4.5% in 1951 and 4.2% in 1961. During the period from 1951 through to 1991,

the yearly rate of increase of the region’s population is approximately one third of the

corresponding rate of increase for the country as a whole.

Table 3 shows the evolution of the region’s population by province for the years 1951 through

to 1991 and Table 3A, the yearly rates of increase or decrease of the region’s population by

province for the period from 1961 through to 1991.

Table 3: Population by Province 1951-1991

TERRITORIAL UNIT/YEAR

1951

1961

1971

1981

1991

PREFECTURE OF IOANNINA Province of Dodoni 124.653 126.156 113.153

125.250 135.666

Province of Konitsa 13.915 14.405 10.037

9.663 9.269

Province of Metsovo 5.727 6.255 5.612

5.664 5.828

Province of Pogoni 9.453 8.510 5.886

6.727 6.451

TOTAL 153.748 155.326 134.688

147.304 157.214

PREFECTURE OF THESPROTIA Province of Thiamida 9.871 12.772 12.111

13.959 15.960

Province of Margariti 5.254 6.464 5.260

5.205 5.562

Province of Souli 14.346 15.423 11.795

11.322 11.192

Province of Filiates 17.828 17.466 11.518

10.792 11.699

TOTAL 47.299 52.125 40.684

41.278 44.413

PREFECTURE OF ARTA 72.717 82.630 78.376

80.044 78.884

PREFECTURE OF PREVEZA

56.779 62.523 56.586

55.915 58.536

EPIRUS 330.543 352.604 310.334

324.541 339.047

Source: NSO, Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p.14



Table 3A: Average Yearly Rate of Change of the Population of Epirus by Province

1961-1991 (expressed in %)

TERRITORIAL

UNIT/YEAR

1961-1971

1971-1981

1981-1991

1961-1991

PREFECTURE OF IOANNINA Province of Dodoni -1.08 1.02 0.81

0.24

Province of Konitsa -3.55 -0.38 -0.47

-1.46

Province of Metsovo -1.08 0.09 0.24

-0.25

Province of Pogoni -3.62 1.34 -0.44

-0.93

PREFECTURE OF THESPROTIA Province of Thiamida -0.53 1.43 1.21

0.70

Province of Margariti -2.04 -0.11 0.66

-0.50

Province of Souli -2.65 -0.41 -0.10

-1.06

Province of Filiates -4.08 -0.65 0.81

-1.32

PREFECTURE OF ARTA -0.53 0.21 -0.15

-0.15


-0.99 -0.12 0.52

-.20

Source: NSO, Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p. 14.

During the period from 1961 through to 1991, only the provinces of Dodoni and Thiamida

exhibit a positive yearly rate of change of the population, while the remainder of the provinces

exhibit a negative rate of change, the highest of which were in the provinces of Konitsa,

Filiates and Pogoni. During the period from 1961 through to 1971, the yearly rate of change of

the population is negative in all of the provinces of the region, the largest rates of decrease

again in the provinces of Konitsa, Filiates and Pogoni. The provinces of Konitsa and Pogoni

continue to exhibit a negative yearly rate of change in the ‘80’s.

The increase and decrease of the population of Epirus by prefecture during the period of

1961 through to 1991 expressed in terms of natural change and inflow of the population are

presented in Table 4 below.



Table 4: Natural Change and Inflow of the Population of Epirus 1961-1991

(expressed in %)

REGION / YEAR

1961-1971

1971-1981

1981-1991

Natural Change

Inflow Population Change

Natural Change


Natural Change


Prefecture of Arta

15

-20.1 -5.1 7.8 -5.7 2.1

1.6

-3.1 -.16


10.2

-32.1 -21.9 5.7 -4.3 1.4

2.3

4.8 7.1


8.7

-22 -13.3 6.2 3.2 9.4

1.8

4.9 6.7


12.8

-23.3 -9.5 7.6 -8.8 -1.2

3.7

1.6 5.3

Epirus

11.1

-23.3 -12 6.8 -2.2 4.6

2.1

2.4 4.5

Greece

10.9

-6.4 4.5 7.3 3.8 11.1

N/A

N/A N/A

Comments: Natural Change = Births - Deaths

Inflow = Immigration - Emigration

Source: Human Resources, p.3.

The figures in the ‘Inflow’ columns of Table 4 reveal the heavy wave of emigration from the

region during the ‘60’s. The emigration wave of the ‘60’s decreased substantially during the

‘70’s. It is reversed for the prefecture of Ioannina during the ‘70’s and for all of the prefectures

in the ‘80’s, with the exception of the prefecture of Arta.

The region of Epirus is one of the most sparsely populated regions of Greece, with a

population density which is less than half of the population density of the entire country.

Table 5 below presents the area and population density of the region by prefecture for the

year 1991. The most sparsely populated prefectures are the prefectures of Ioannina and

Thesprotia, whose density is a little over a third of the national average.



Table 5: Area and Density of Epirus by Prefecture 1991 TERRITORIAL UNIT/VARIABLE

AREA (SQUARE KLM)

POPULATION

DENSITY


4.990 157.214 31.50


1.515 44.413 29.31

Prefecture of Arta 1.662 78.884 47.46 Prefecture of Preveza

1.036 58.536 56.50

Epirus 9.203 339.037 36.83 Greece 131.957 10.256.464 77.73 Source: NSO, Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p.11.

2.2 Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural Population

Tables 6 through 6D and Diagram 2, below, present the evolution of the distribution of the

population of the region and each of its prefectures into urban, semi-urban and rural

population.

Table 6: Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural Population 1961-1991

TYPE OF

POPULATION/YEAR

1961

1971

1981

1991

URBAN 65.516

(183.6%)

73.641

(23.7%)

78.456

(24.2%)

93.378

(27.6%)

SEMI - URBAN 28.228

(8.0%)

25.393

(8.3%)

29.379

(9.1%)

44.453

(13.1%)

RURAL

258.860

(73.4%)

211.300

(68.1%)

216.705

(66.7%)

201.027

(59.3%)

TOTAL 352.604

(100%)

310.334

(100%)

324.541

(100%)

338.858

(100%)

Source: NSO, Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p.16.



TABLE 6A: Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural Population of the Prefecture of Ioannina

1951-1991

TYPE OF

POPULATION/

YEAR

1961

1971

1981

1991

URBAN

34.997

(22.5%)

40.130

(29.8%)

44.829

(30.4%)

55.701

(36.2%)

SEMI-URBAN

6.518

(4.2%)

8.326

(6.2%)

10.831

(7.4%)

20.488

(9.8%)

RURAL 113.811

(73.3%)

86.232

(64.0%)

91.644

(62.2%)

81.025

(54.0%)

TOTAL 155.326

(100%)

134.688

(100%)

147.304

(100%)

157.214

(100%)

Source: NSO

Table 6B: Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural Population of the Prefecture of Thesprotia

1951-1991

TYPE OF

POPULATION/

YEAR

1961

1971

1981

1991

URBAN 0 0 0

0

SEMI-URBAN

10.820

(20.8%)

10.045

(24.7%)

11.700

(28.3%)

12.445

(27.5%)

RURAL 41.305

(79.2%)

30.639

(75.3%)

29.578

(71.7%)

31.968

(72.5%)

TOTAL 52.125

(100%)

40.684

(100%)

41.278

(100%)

44.413

(100%)

Source: NSO



Table 6C: Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural Population of the Prefecture of Arta

1951-1991

TYPE OF

POPULATION/

YEAR

1961

1971

1981

1991

URBAN 17.645

(21.4%)

20.538

(26.4%)

20.004

(25.0%)

21.434

(27.2%)

SEMI-URBAN

5.366

(6.5%)

3.428

(4.4%)

3.515

(4.4%)

8.291

(10.5%)

RURAL 59.610

(72.1%)

54.410

(69.4%)

56.525

(70.6%)

49.159

(62.3%)

TOTAL 82.630

(100%)

78.376

(100%)

80.044

(100%)

78.884

(100%)

Source: NSO, Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p. 16.

Table 6D: Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural Population of the Prefecture of Preveza

1951-1991

TYPE OF

POPULATION/

YEAR

1961

1971

1981

1991

URBAN 12.865

(20.6%)

12.973

(22.9%)

13.624

(24.4%)

15.079

(25.8%)

SEMI-URBAN

5.524

(8.8%)

3.594

(6.4%)

3.333

(6.0%)

8.599

(14.7%)

RURAL 44.134

(70.6%)

40.019

(70.7%)

38.958

(69.7%)

31.968

(59.5%)

TOTAL 62.523

(100%)

56.586

(100%)

55.915

(100%)

58.536

(100%)

Source: NSO, Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p.16

The 1981 urban population of the region, expressed in percentage terms, is much lower than

the corresponding percentage for the entire country (24.2% compared to 58.1% for Greece).

The urban population shows a steady increase during the period from 1961-1991, reaching

27.6% of the total population in 1991 (compared to 18.6% in 1961). The largest increase took

place in the ‘60’s (5.1%), followed by the ‘80’s (3.4%). The 1981 semi-urban population of the

region, expressed in percentage terms, is closer to the corresponding percentage for the

entire country (9.1% compared to 11.6% for Greece). In contrast to the semi-urban population



of the entire country, which remained stable, the semi-urban population of the region shows a

steady increase during the period from 1961-1991, reaching 13.1% of the total population of

the region in 1991 (compared to 8% in 1961). The rural population of the region, expressed in

percentage terms, has decreased from 73.4% in 1961 to 59.3% in 1991. The average yearly

rate of decrease of the rural population during the period 1961 through 1991 was 0.84%9. The

1981 rural population of the region, expressed in percentage terms, is more than twice the

corresponding percentage for the entire country (66.7% compared to 30.3% for Greece).

The highest percentage of urban population is in the prefecture of Ioannina, followed by the

prefectures of Arta and Preveza, while the prefecture of Thesprotia has no urban population

at all. The highest percentage of semi-urban population is in the prefecture of Thesprotia,

followed by the prefecture of Preveza. The prefecture of Thesprotia also has the highest

percentage of rural population. With the exception of the year 1961, the lowest percentage of

rural population is found in the prefecture of Ioannina.

9 Regional Job Markets, A stydy of the Region of Epirus, p.15.



Diagram 2: Distribution of Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural Population of Epirus by

Prefecture - 1981

62%

27% 11%

RURAL URBAN SEMI-URBAN

PREFECTURE OF ARTA

72%

28%0%


PREFECTURE OF THESPROTIA

54%

36%10%


PREFECTURE OF IOANNINA

59%

26%15%



2.3 Population by Age-Group and Sex

Table 7, below, presents the distribution of the population of the region and each of its

prefectures into males and females for the year 1991. The prefecture of Ioannina and Arta

have more women than men, while the reverse is true in the case of the prefectures of

Thesprotia and Preveza. The region of Epirus, as a whole, has more women than men. In

1981, all four prefectures had more women than men.



Table 7: Male-Female Population of Epirus 1991.

TERRITORIAL UNIT/SEX

MALES

FEMALES

TOTAL


77,317 79,897

157,214


22.761 21.652

44.413

Prefecture of Arta 39.229 39.655

78.884


29.543 28.993

58.536

Epirus 168.850 170.197

339.047

Greece N/A N/A

10.256.464

Comments: N/A: Not Available

Source: NSO

Table 7A: Male-Female Population of Epirus 1991 (expressed in %).

TERRITORIAL UNIT/SEX

MALES

FEMALES

TOTAL


49.18 50.82

100


51.25 48.75

100

Prefecture of Arta 49.73 50.27

100


50.47 49.53

100

Epirus 49.80 50.20

100

Comments: N/A: Not Available

Source: NSO

Table 8, below, presents the distribution of the population of the region by age and sex for

years 1961 and 1981. Table 8A, below, presents the distribution of the population of Greece

by age and sex for the year 1981.



Table 8: Epirus: Population by Age and Sex 1961, 1981

YEAR. SEX/AGE

0-4

5-14

15-44

45-64

65 and over 1961 TOTAL 40.137

(11.4%)

77.593

(22%)

146.706

(41.60%)

61.746

(17.51%)

26.422

(7.49%) Male 20.838 39.974 67.515

29.144 10.901

Female 19.299 37.619 79.191

32.602 15.521

1981 TOTAL 26.124

(8.04%)

53.758

(16.56%)

123.776

(38.13%)

75.348

(23.21%)

45.652

(14.06%) Male 13.691 27.306 61.954

35.630 19.994

Female 12.433 26.452 61.822

39.718 25.658

Source: NSO

Table 8A: Greece: Population by Age and Sex 1981

1981

0-4

5-14

15-44

45-64

64 and

over

Didn’t

Declare

TOTAL

778.182

(7.9%)

1.529.115

(15.7%)

3.970.272

(40.76%)

2.232.479

(22.91%)

1.238.088

(12.71%)

1.453

(0.02%) Male

400.675 785.231 1.963.059 1.080.622

549.231 753

Female

377.507 743.884 2.007.213 1.151.857

688.857 700

Source: NSO

Since 1961, there has been a rather dramatic decrease in the population of the region below

the age of 44 and a corresponding increase in the population over the age of 45. This reflects

both the decrease in the region’s birth rate and the immigration waves discussed above.

Specifically, the population below the age of 14 has decreased from 33.4% in 1961 to 24.6%

in 1981. The population over 65 has almost doubled in the same period (from 7.49% in 1961

to 14.06% in 1981). Compared to the country as a whole, in 1981, Epirus had a lower

percentage of population in the 0 - 14 age-group and a higher percentage of population in the

65 and over category.



3. NATURAL RESOURCES 3.1 Geomorphology and Land Use - An Overview The predominately mountainous geomorphology of the region (described in greater detail in

Section 3.2) has determined much of the land use and the economic activities in the region as

discussed in Section 5. Plains, basins and flatland areas are located mainly in the south, in

the prefectures of Preveza and Arta, and in the west, in the prefecture of Thesprotia. The

percentage of irrigated land, in 1991, was 36.6% in the region, 54.4% in the prefecture of

Arta, 20.3% in the prefecture of Thesprotia, 25.5% in the prefecture of Ioannina and 42.8% in

the prefecture of Preveza. These percentages are largely unchanged from their 1977 levels10.

As discussed briefly in the introduction, 14.11% of the land area is devoted to agricultural

holdings compared to a national average of 29.9%. Surface waters (described in greater

detail in Section 3.3) cover 3.23% of the land, compared to a national average of 2.34%.

Urban settlements account for 3.81% of the region, compared to 3.71% for the country as a

whole. The largest utilised agricultural area is located in the prefecture of Preveza and the

smallest in the prefecture of Ioannina.

Forests (described in greater detail in Section 3.4) cover 26.23% of the region compared to a

national average of 22.36%. The largest area covered by forests is located in the prefecture

of Arta, followed by the prefectures of Ioannina, Preveza and Thesprotia11. More specifically,

the exploitable forest areas in the prefecture of Arta are located in the northern and north-

western part of the prefecture. Timber production consists mainly of fir and oak. The forest

areas in the prefecture of Preveza show intense signs of erosion and are not suitable for

exploitable reforestation, while the forest areas in the prefecture of Thesprotia are not suitable

for exploitation. The exploitable forest areas in the prefecture of Ioannina are located in the

north-eastern part of the prefecture (in Konitsa, Metsovo, Zagoria and Pogoni). They consist

of fir, pine, beech, oak and other evergreen trees. Timber production from the prefecture

accounts for over 94% of total regional production. However, the current level of production

does not fully utilise the potential of the prefecture, largely due to lack of infrastructure,

problems related to property status, land-use conflicts and the unavailability of machinery12.

Table 9, below, gives a more comprehensive picture of the principal categories of land use in

the region and its prefectures for the year 1981.

Table 9: Epirus: Principal Categories of Land Use 1981 (expressed in %)

Territorial

Agricultural

Grassland

Forests

Surface

Urban

Other

10Regional Job Markets, A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 28. 11Regional Job Markets, A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 23. 12Regional Job Markets, A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 23; Human Resources, pp. 14-15



Unit/

Land use

Holdings

Waters

Settlement

s


9.16

53.90

29.82

2.15

3.30 1.67


14.04

72.58

8.28

1.45

2.95 0.70

Prefecture of Arta

19.85

21.72

41.17

7.96

6.02 3.28


28.85

52.21

11.18

3.46

4.01 0.29

Epirus

14.11

50.97

26.23

3.23

3.81 1.65

Greece

29.90

39.82

22.36

2.34

3.71 1.87

Source: Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p. 24

3.2 Mountains

The most significant mountains in Epirus are those which form the Pindos mountain-range.

The mountain-range commences with Mount Grammos (2,520 m) on the border of Epirus

with Western Macedonia and Albania. Further south of Mount Grammos is Mount Smolikas

(2,637 m), the second highest mountain in Greece. To the southeast, Mount Vasilitsa (2,249

m) overlooks Macedonia. The range continues southward with Mount Gamila or Timfi (2,497

m). Between Smolikas and Gamila, just above the city of Konitsa, Mount Trapezitsa (2,021 m)

is found. To the east of Gamila, a horseshoe-shaped group of mountains known as Lingos or

Eastern Pindos (2,177 m) is located, and south of Gamila, above the lake of Ioannina, stands

Mount Mitsikeli (1,810 m). The southern Pindos range includes Peristeri or Lakmo (2,295 m),

Kakarditsa (2,393 m) and Tzoumerka (2,393 m).

Lower mountains, not belonging to the range, include Tomaros (1,816 m), Xerovouni (1,607

m), the Thesprotika mountains (1,274 m), the Souli mountains (1,615 m), the Paramythia

mountains (1,658 m), Kasidiaris (1,316 m), the Kourenda mountains (1,172) and the

Tsamanta mountains (1,806 m).



3.3 Water Resources

Some of the most important Greek rivers run through Epirus.

The Aoos river, whose source is north of Metsovo, flows westward through the Smolikas and

Gamila mountains (Aoos gorge) and emerges in the Plain of Konitsa, continuing on into

Albania. The Voidomatis river, whose source is in the Vikos Gorge, flows into the Aoos river

in the Plain of Konitsa. The Sarantaporos river has its source in the Grammos mountains and

unites with the Aoos river on the Greek-Albanian border. The Arachthos river is formed by

numerous streams which flow from the Zagori villages, Metsovo, Mount Peristeri, Mount

Kakarditsa and the Tzoumerka mountains, and pours into Amvrakikos Bay. The river Louros

flows from the Louros springs, near the city of Ioannina. The Kalamas river flows from north of

Ioannina into the Ionian Sea. Finally, the Acheron river originates in the Paramythia

mountains and joins its main tributary (kokitos) near the Ionian Sea. The most important

natural lake is Lake Pamvotis (lake of Ioannina) in the city of Ioannina, followed by Lake

Zaravina in the Province of Pogoni, and Lake Ziros, north of Filipiada.

The lakes and rivers in the prefecture of Ioannina, namely the rivers of Aoos, Louros and

Kalamas and the lakes of Pamvotis, Zaravina and Drakolimni, are exploited for trout

production in 60 units producing 1,200 tons of fish annually. Most of these units have their

own reproduction facilities while the rest are supplied from the fish-cultivation unit of Louros.

Water from lake Zaravina is used for the irrigation of nearby land. Exploitation of the water

resources of the prefecture is limited by the pollution of lake Pamvotis and the decrease in

rainfall during the 1989-1992.

In the wetlands of the prefecture of Thesprotia, namely the rivers of Kalamas and Kiknotos

and lakes Chochtova and Prostani, there is a high potential for fish cultivation, especially

along the coastline.

The prefectures of Arta and Preveza jointly exploit the resources of Amvrakikos Bay and

several lakes. Amvrakikos Bay is the largest natural fish cultivation area in Europe. The

waters of the Ionian Sea, to the west of the region, are rich in fish species, especially

sardines, mullets dorados, soles and calamaris. The most important fish species cultivated in

the inland waters are trout, carp and eel13.

13Human Resources, p. 16



3.4 Vegetation

The lowlands of Epirus are dominated by a shrub known as the ‘Mediterranean maquis’,

consisting of Kerm Oak (Quercus cocifera), Mock Privet (Phillirea Latifolia), Holm Oak

(Quercus ilex), Strawberrytree (Arbutus unedo) and other species of evergreen and

deciduous shrubs and small trees.

On the lower mountain slopes, low forests are dominated by deciduous oaks. At altitudes

between 700 m and 1,800 m, there are mixed forests of deciduous trees such as beech,

various species of maple, Silver Lime (Tilia Tomentosa), Hornebeam, Hop-hornebeam and

conifers such as Black Pine (Pinus nigra) and Macedonian Fir (Abies borissiiregis). At

altitudes of over 1,800 m, beech and Balkan Pine (Pinus heldereichii) dominate the

landscape.

3.5 Flora and Fauna

The flora of Epirus is closely related to the flora of neighboring southern Albania and to that of

the Ionian islands. The rarest plants are those found on the mountain-tops. Many of them are

indigenous to Epirus or even to a single mountain.

On Mount Smolikas, we find the local species Cerastium smocanum, Centaurea Ptarmiefolia

and Aubrieta glabreens. Indigenous to Mount Gamila are Silene intonsa, Lithosrm

goulandriorum and Miartia pseudosaxifraga. The local species, Centaurea pawlovskii, is

found in the Vikos Gorge and the Centaurea vlachorum species, in the Valia Calda. There are

two species indigenous to the peaks of Grammos, Theum vlachorum and Ligustim

rhizomaticum, while Dactylorrhiza Kalopissii grows in the mountains of Metsovo.

Some other rare plants which grow in the mountains of Epirus are Telekia speciosa, Viola

albanica, Viola dukadjinica, Silene pindicola, Campanula hawnsiana, Peucedanum stridii,

Alyssum smolicanum, Pinicula balcanica, Crocus rortianus, Thlaspi epirotum, Centaurea

epirota, Ramonda serbica, Soldanella pindicola, Bornmuellera tymphaea and Bornmuellera

baldacii.

Finally, we must not fail to mention the lily species of Epirus, all of rare beauty, such as the

yellow Pindos Lily (Lilium albanicum), the red Lilium chalcedocum, the purple Lilium martagon

and the Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum), which grow in the forests and gorges of the

mountains in this area.



In the thick, wild forests of Epirus, many species of animals and birds, which disappeared

from the rest of Greece years ago, survive today.

The Bear (Ursus arctos), one of the rarest members of Greek and European fauna in general,

still lives in the mountains of Northern Pindos, even though its natural habitats are continually

being destroyed. It is estimated that in all of Greece, there are approximately 80-100 bears, of

which about half live in the Central Rodopi mountain range and the other half in Epirus.

Another extremely rare animal of Epirus is the Lynx (Lynx lynx or Felis lynx). It is about twice

the size of a house cat and has a very short tail. It was believed to have disappeared from the

area until its tracks were sighted a few years ago in the Mt. Gamila-Aoos gorge region.

At one time, there were many deer (Cervus elaphus) in Epirus, but they have been killed by

hunters. However, the Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) still survives, as does the Wild Boar

(Sus scrofa).

The Otter (Lutra lutra) lives in the rivers of Epirus. Its biggest enemies are dirty water and the

disturbance of the natural equilibrium of the rivers by pesticides, dams, etc. On the

precipitous heights and in the gorges of the mountains of Epirus, there is yet a another very

rare animal, the ‘wild goat’. Its scientific name is Rupicapra rupicapra, and it is not related to

the domestic goat or to other wild goats. The mountains of Gamila, Smolikas, Grammos, etc.

currently support very small populations, which are in danger of disappearing due to

poaching.

The Wolf (Canis lupus), once common throughout the mountains of Epirus, is now quite rare

due to ruthless hunting and the use of poisoned baits.

Common members of the mammalian fauna of Epirus are the Fox (Vulpes vulpes), the

Marten (Martes foina), the Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), the Hare (Lepus europaeus or

capensis) and the Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor). Smaller mammals include the Mole

(Talpa caeca), Shrews (Sorex minutus, Suncus etruscus, Crocidura suaveolens, etc.), the

Dormouse (Glis glis), the Forest Dormouse (Dryomys nitedula), and various species of mice

and bats.

Many rare bird species inhabit the mountains and wetlands of Epirus. In the mountains, we

find rare birds of prey, such as the Vulture (Gyps fulvus), the Golden Eagle (Aquila

chrysaetus), the Lammergeir (Gypaetus berbatus), the Egyptian vulture (Neophron

percnopterus) and the Booted eagle (Hieraetus pennatus).



The mountains of Epirus are home to eight species of Woodpecker, among them the

extremely rare Black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius). Other rare species are the

Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria), Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) Rock thrush (Monticola saxatilis),

Golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus), Snow finch (Montifningila nivalis), Grossbill (Loxia curvirostra),

Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula), Shore lark (Eremophila alpestris), Alpine swift (Apus melba) and

the Eagle owl (Bubo bubo).

In the wetlands of Epirus, we encounter pelicans, rerns, Avocets, Black-minged stilts, Wild

ducks, Glossy ibis, Storks, Herons and Cormorants.

3.6 Mineral Resources

The region of Epirus is rich in non-metallic minerals. However, the geomorphology of the

region, land-use conflicts and the lack of infrastracture, have hampered the systematic and

organised exploitation of these resources. In the prefecture of Ioannina, the principal non-

metallic mineral is ‘light brown marble’, whose durable consistency and easy production in

suitable dimensions allow it to be produced at a low cost and sold at low prices14. There are

approximately 100 production sites located mostly in the western part of the prefecture15. The

existing layers of phosphoric minerals in the prefecture of Ioannina are not suitable for

exploitation, while the exploitation of lignite, located in the prefecture, is being examined.

There is an exploitable layer of phosphoric minerals located in the prefecture of Arta. The

prefecture of Preveza produces marble of similar quality to that produced in the prefecture of

Ioannina. The prefecture of Thesprotia is rather poor in mineral resources16.

14Human Resources, p.16 15Regional Job Markets. A Study of the Region of Epirus, p. 27. 16Regional Job Markets. A Study of the Region of Epirus, p. 27.



3.7 Pollution of the Environment

The low level of industrialisation and urbanisation result in a relatively low level of pollution in

the region’s water resources. This is not the case for lake Pamvotis (in Ioannina), which is

polluted by urban waste and agricultural activities in the area. Amvrakikos Bay and the bay of

Igoumenitsa also face pollution problems. South to north currents, in the Ionian, and

norhtwest winds, are favourable conditions for automatic clean-up in the case of an accident

or pollution along the coastline. Table 9A below presents some environmental statistics for

the region.

Table 9A: Epirus: Environmental Statistics Natural sites 1982 13 Wetlands 1981 15 Wetlands Protected under the Ramsar Treaty

1

National Parks 2 SO2 (T/km2) in atmosphere 1991

0.30

Number of Pollution Incidents by ships 1990

1

Pollution Level of Bays (1=highest) 1991

[5]

Lenght in klm of destroyed coastline 1981

87

Source: General Study - Framework



4. NATURAL, CULTURAL, AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS

4.1 Natural Attractions

Although Section 3 of this document provided an exhaustive insight into the natural make-up

and resources of the region of Epirus, it is essential to draw attention to some of the more

extraordinary natural attractions that exist in the region and to distinguish them as more than

just components of the region’s geomorphology. An outline of some of the more noteworthy

natural attractions in the region of Epirus, per prefecture, is given below.

Natural Attractions in the Prefecture of Arta

1. Amvrakikos Bay

As mentioned previously, Amvrakikos Bay is an internationally well-known wetland,

which is protected by the Ramsar Treaty. It is a closed bay with an area of 400 square

metres, an opening to the Ionian Sea through the Preveza straight (600 metres wide and

7-10 metres deep), and surrounded by the Prefectures of Preveza, Arta and

Etoloakarnania. The river Louros pours into the bay from the northwest, and the

Arachtos from the northeast, creating a wetland complex which covers 220,000 strema.

2. The Tzoumerka Village Complex

The Tzoumerka village complex is a group of picturesque, mountainous villages on the

border of the Prefectures of Arta and Ioannina. The complex consitutes exceptional

scenery, lakes, paths and villages, which have maintained their local traditions intact.

3. Pournari Lake

Pournari Lake is a man-made lake, created from the Arachthos Hydro-electric dam

which was erected by the Greek Public Power Company (DEI). It is located in the center

of the Prefecture and leads to the Sarantaporos river to the east. The lake can be viewed

as a connecting point between the Tzoumerka village complex, the city of Arta and

Amvrakikos Bay. A new and exciting ecosystem is currently developing.



Natural Attractions in the Prefecture of Thesprotia

While the Prefecture of Thesprotia is known for its beautiful coasts, its inland mountainous

areas remain almost completely unexploited.

A number of studies have been completed, aimed at describing and promoting areas of

interest from an eco-tourism perspective under the auspices of the Law for Public

Investments. These areas include:

1. Kalamas River Delta

Located near the Greek-Albanian border, it is, according to researchers, one of the most

important, albeit significantly smaller, wetlands in Greece, rivaling Amvrakikos Bay and

the Evros Delta. Efforts are underway to include the Delta in the Ramsar Treaty in order

to facilitate its protection. There is a large variety of ecotops, approximately 200 varieties

of plantlife, 131 observed types of birds, 35 of which are rare or endangered species. A

number of mammals (wildcats, otters) and wild horses also live in the area.

2. Kalodiki Marsh

Located at the southern end of the Prefecture, on the border with the Prefecture of

Preveza, it belongs administratively to the Townships of Elefterio and Morfatio. It is a

narrow basin (3.5 km in length, 1.3 km in width) covering an area of 4,000 strema. It is a

part of the wider basin of Margariti (69,000 strema) which spans from Palaiokastro to the

north, the Parga mountains to the south, and is divided into three sub-basins

(Palaiokastro, Margariti and Kalodiki). It is the largest and most important marshland in

the Prefecture of Thesprotia and is considered to be rich in rare vegetation and animal-

life, although it has not been systematically researched.

3. Other Marshes

There are four other periodic marshes in the greater Margariti-Paramythia area:

Palaiokastro, Katavothra, Haskova (or Chrystalopigi) and Grika. All have been greatly

damaged by human intervention, yet are considered salvageable as evidenced by the

fact that varieties of carp have prospered despite the damage.



4. Mountains

Of particular interest is the Mourgana mountain circuit, which includes the mountains

around Paramythia and Souli. It is mostly rocky, with rich vegetation (except around the

area of Souli), picturesque villages and cultural monuments. The Kalamas river gorge,

from Pente Ekklisies to Neraida, is ideal for scenic walks along the path which

transverses it.

Natural Attractions in the Prefecture of Preveza

Tourism in the Prefecture of Preveza is centered around the coastal areas, notably in the

towns of Preveza and Parga. Amvrakikos Bay, mentioned above, is an important natural

attraction. The area around Ziros lake, near Filippiada, is one of the rarest natural parks in all

of Greece, covering 1,050 strema, including 500 strema of forest, a 470 strema lake and an

80 strema complex. Used by the National Welfare Organization as a nursery school until

1985, it later served as a shelter for Albanian immigrants. This park is totally undeveloped

and devoid of tourism-related infrastructure.

Natural Attractions in the Prefecture of Ioannina

There are two national parks in the Prefecture of Ioannina which span from the center of the

eastern portion of the Prefecture, west to the bridges of Konitsa (over the Aoos River) and

Klidonia (over the Voidomatis River).

1. Vikos-Aoos National Park

Located between the Vikos Gorge and the Aoos Canyon. It was established in 1973 and

covers an area of 126,000 strema, with a nucleus of 33,000 strema around the Vikos

Gorge. The Zagori villages of Monodendri, Vikos, Papigo and Mikro Papigo are located

within its limits.

The Aoos Canyon is approximately 10 km long and 2-6 km wide. It begins in the

Paliomonastiro location of the Eleftheros township and ends at the Stone Bridge of

Konitsa. The Vikos Gorge begins at the Tsepelovo township and ends at the Klidonia

bridge. It is 25 km long and 300-800 metres deep. Hundreds of varieties of plantlife have

been recorded in both locations, ranging from Mediterranean to alpine, and a number of

protected animal species, mainly mammals (bear, wildgoat, otter, roe and wolf).



2. Pindos National Park (Valia Calda)

Established in 1966, it covers an area of 100,000 strema from Mount Mavrovouni to the

Aoos springs, the Kleftis mountainside, Kokkini Tsouma and Kakoplevri. Administratively,

the National Park belongs to both the Prefectures of Grevena and Ioannina and is

equally as rich in flora and fauna as the Vikos-Aoos National Park, although there are no

gorges or canyons. The man-made Aoos lake presents an opportunity for the

development of a new ecosystem.

3. Other Areas of Interest

In the greater Konitsa area, Mount Smolikas and Lake Drakolimni, the northern border

of the Aoos valley, are particularly beautiful. Also, the mountainrange of Grammos,

especially the portion near the thermal springs of the township of Amarantos, could

constitute an additional natural tourist attraction. The rivers of Aoos, Voidomatis and

Arachthos lend themselves to canoe-cajiac activities.

The Kouvara Gorge, located in the Province of Pogoni between the townships of Dolo

and Pogoniani, and lake Zaravina (also in the Province of Pogoni) are completely

underdeveloped.

The Tzoumerka villages, discussed above, are ideal for mountain-climbing, hiking, etc.

The cave in the village of Pramanta is unexploited.

Finally, in the city of Ioannina itself, Lake Pamvotis, its island and the cave in the

township of Perama are fairly well-exploited natural attractions.



4.2 Cultural Attractions

Listed below are the cultural attractions in the region of Epirus by type of attraction and Prefecture. I. Archives

1. Permanent Local Archive of Arta (Arta) 2. Epirot Archive of loannina (loannina) 3. Historical Archive of the Monasteries (the island, Ioannina) 4. Permanent Local Archive of Paramythia (Paramythia)

II. Archaeological Sites

1. Arta castle (13th-18th centuries) 2. Theatre of ancient Ambracia (Arta, 3rd century BC) 3. Archaeological site of Titani (Goumani, Thesprotia: 4th century BC) 4. Archaeological site of Elea (Velliani, Thesprotia: 4th century BC) 5. Archaeological site of Dymokastro (Elina: Perdika, Thesprotia) 6. Tower of Rayios (Lygia, Thesprotia) 7. Archaeological site of Dodona (17 km south-west of Ioannina) 8. Springs of the Acheron, walls of a Hellenistic acropolis (Sistrouni, Ioannina) 9. Prehistoric cave (Late Paleolithic era) and prehistoric settlement (Kastritsa,

loannina) 10. Ancient settlement of Vitsa (Vitsa, in the Zagori villages, loannina: 9th-4th

century BC) 11. Oracle of the Dead (Homeric period: Mesopotamos, Preveza) 12. Kassopi (first half of the 4th century BC: Kamarina, Preveza) 13. Ammotopos (first half of the 4th century BC: Ammotopos, Arta) 14. Nicopolis (31 BC: Preveza) 15. Castle of Rogoi (Buchetio or Bucheta) colony of the Eleians (8th century BC:

Preveza) III. Byzantine and Modern Monuments

A. Prefecture of Arta 1. Church of St. Basil (13th century), Arta 2. Church of St. Theodora (13th century), Arta 3. Church of Our Lady ‘Parigoritissa’ (1285-89), Arta 4. Church of St. Basil of the Bridge (9th century), Arta 5. Church of St. Demetrius ‘Katsouris’ (10th century), Plisii, Arta 6. Church of Our Lady ‘Vlacherna’ (12th century), Vlacherna Arta 7. Church of Our Lady `Bryoni' (13th century), Neochoraki, Arta 8. Church of St. Nicholas `Rodias' (13th century), Vigil, Arta. 9. `Kokkini Ekklisia' Church (13th century), Voulgareli, Arta 10. Church of Our Lady `Koronisia' (10th century), Koronisia, Arta



B. Prefecture of Thesprotia

1. Church of the Dormitrion of the Virgin, Paramythia 2. Yiromeri Monastery (1285), Filiades

C. Prefecture of Ioannina 1. Monastery of St. Nicholas `Tzoras' (1663), Vasiliki, Ioannina 2. Monastery of Our Lady, Vella 3. Monastery of Dichouni, Dichouni, Ioannina 4. Monastery of Tsouka (Nativity of the Virgin), Elliniko, Ioannina 5. Monastery of the Prophet Elijah (with paintings of 1658), Zitsa, Ioannina 6. Monastery of St. John the Baptist, Kastritsa, loannina 7. Monastery of Kipina, Kallarytes, Ioannina 8. Monastery of Angelomachi, Kourenta, loannina 9. Church of St. John the Baptist, Kostaniani, loannina 10. Church of the Archangels, Kostaniani, Ioannina 11. Monastery of the Fathers (1590, dome of 1639), Lithino, Zitsa, Ioannina 12. Monastery of Dourahani, loannina 13. Monastery of Dourouti, Pedini, Ioannina 14. Monastery of Paliouri between Paliouri and Soulopoulo, loannina 15. Monastery of Stoupaina (Dormition of the Virgin, 1734), Perivleptos, loannina 16. Monastery of Lykostani, Polylofos, Ioannina. 17. Monastery of Plaka, Raftaneii, Ioannina 18. Monastery of Sistrouni (Nativity of the Virgin), Sistrouni, loannina 19. St. Panteleimon (Monastery of Halasmata), Palaiochori, Syrako, Ioannina 20. Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, Romanos, loannina 21. Monastery of Our Lady `Zermas', Playia, loannina

D. Prefecture of Preveza

1. Castle of St. Andrew, Preveza 2. Monastery of Our Lady `Pantanassa' (13th century), Filippiada, Preveza

IV. Museums and Art Galleries of Epirus

A. Prefecture of Arta 1. Museum of Our Lady `Parigoritissa'

B. Prefecture of Thesprotia

1. Tsamanta Folklore Museum, Filiades, Thesprotia

C. Prefecture of loannina 1. Ioannina Archaeological Museum 2. Ioannina Municipal Museum 3. Folklore Museum of the Association of Epirot Studies, loannina 4. Ñ. Vrellis Waxworks, Bizani, loannina 5. Mouzakaei Waxworks



6. Koukouli Natural History Museum, Zagori, loannina 7. Metsovo Folklore Museum 8. Konitsa Folklore Museum 9. Museum of Traditional Occupations, Elafotopos, Zagori, loannina 10. University of loannina Folklore Museum 11. Pogoniani Folklore Museum, Pogoni, loannina 12. War Museum of 1940-41, Kalpaki, loannina 13. War Museum of 1912-13, Emin Aga Hani, loannina 14. Museum of the pre-Revolutionary Period, on the island, loannina 15. Averofeios Art Gallery, Metsovo 16. Art Gallery of the Association of Epirot Studies, loannina 17. National Resistance Museum, loannina

D. Prefecture of Preveza

1. Nicopolis Archaeological Museum V. Traditional Epirotic Sites

A. Prefecture of Arta 1. Arta Bridge, over the river Arachthos; possibly founded in the 3rd century BC.

Four large arches were constructed in the time of the Despotate of Epirus and the large arch can be dated back to 1612 from written sources.

B. Prefecture of Ioannina

1. Plaka bridge, over the Arachthos at the spot of the same name 2. Kaber Aga bridge, over the river Zagoritikos at the spot of the same name 3. Tsipianis bridge, over the river Vardas at the spot of the same name 4. Kourtias bridge, over the river Vardas near the Voutsas Monastery, Greveniti,

Zagori 5. Vovousa bridge, over the Áoïs in the village of Vovousa, Zagori 6. Frangades bridge, over the river of the same name, Frangades, Zagori 7. Negades bridge, over the river of the same name, Negades, Zagori 8. Petsioni bridge, over the river Bayiotikos, Kipi, Zagori 9. Mylos bridge, over the river Bayiotikos, Kipi, Zagori 10. Kaloyeriko or three-arched bridge, over the upper course of the river

Voidomatis, Koukouli, Zagori 11. Kontodimou or Lazaridis bridge, over the upper course of the river Voidomatis,

Koukouli, Zagori 12. Noutsos or Kokoris bridge, over the upper course of the river Voidomatis,

Koukouli, Zagori 13. Missios bridge, over the upper course of the river Voidomatis, Vitsa, Zagori 14. Kleidonia bridge, over the river Voidomatis, Kleidonia, Konitsa 15. Konitsa bridge, over the river Aoos, Konitsa 16. Zermas bridge, over the river Sarantaporos, Playia, Konitsa 17. Elsewhere in Epirus - almost a hundred smaller stone bridges of equivalent

architectural and historical interest



4.3 Other Attractions

While the Region of Epirus is known mainly for the natural and cultural attractions described

above, some other attractions exist in the region and are outlined briefly below.

Sports

The coastal areas of the Prefectures of Thesprotia and Preveza lend themselves to water-

related sports (water-skiing, surfing etc.). Organized facilities exist mainly around the larger

hotels in these Prefectures.

The Limnopoula Nautical Centre hosts international crew meets, which are held on Lake

Pamvotis in Ioannina. Two Nautical Clubs located in the city of Ioannina (the Ioannina

Nautical Club and Club Dias) organize canoe-cajiac meets on a regular basis. In addition,

canoeing is organized by the Paddler Club in Konitsa on lake Aoos. The same club also

organizes mountain-biking and hiking expeditions in the greater Konitsa area.

Hiking and mountain-climbing are generally popular, relatively well-organized activities in the

region. There are currently three (3) refuges for hikers. The first is located on Mount Gamila

(Timfi) above the Zagori village of Papigo, at an altitude of 2,000 metres above sea level. The

second shelter is on Mount Mitsikeli, above the city of Ioannina, at Palaiohori (1,400 m).

Finally, the third is on the Tsouka Rosa peak in the Valia Calda National Park at Metsovo.

The Mountaineering Club of Ioannina regularly organizes expeditions. There are a large

number of paths in the region in general, most of which, unfortunately, are partially destroyed

or insufficiently equipped for organized expeditions.

Finally, the only ski center in the region is located in Metsovo and is fairly popular, especially

amongst domestic tourists.

Cultural/Religious/Folkloric Events

Organized cultural activities (the so-called ‘Panigiria’) of either a religious or folkloric nature,

take place mainly during the month of August. These are generally organized by each

township or village, include entertainment by local musicians and dancing, and are open to

visitors.

5. INFRASTRUCTURE

5.1 Settlements



There is a large dispersion of settlements located in the region of Epirus. The percentage of

settlements with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants was 95.8% in 1971 and has decreased only

slightly to 91.6%. Table 10, below, presents the number and percentages of settlements with

fewer than 1,000 inhabitants for the region and its prefectures.

Table 10: Epirus: Settlements with Fewer than 1,000 inhabitants 1971, 1991

TERRITORIAL

UNIT/YEAR

1971

1991

Prefecture of Ioannina 302 (96,5%)

298 (95.2%)

Prefecture of Thesprotia 98 (96.1%)

93 (93.0%)

Prefecture of Arta 78 (80.4%)

67 (81.7%)

Prefecture of Preveza 64 (85.3%)

56 (84.8%)

Epirus 542 (95.8%)

514 (91.6%)

Source: Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p. 31. The prefecture of Ioannina has the smallest percentage of settlements with over 1,000

inhabitants (4.8%). In the prefecture of Thesprotia, the population is concentrated in the town

of Igoumenitsa, which provides some regional services, but depends mostly on Ioannina,

Corfu and Athens for services on the regional level. This is also the case in the prefectures of

Arta and Preveza.

5.2 Education

The data on education show that the region of Epirus is fairly advanced in comparison to the

rest of the country. The University of Ioannina, which has philosophy, mathematics, physics,

chemistry, computer science and education departments and a medical school, has

contributed to the educational level of the region and to its development in general. Table 11,

below, provides a more comprehensive picture of the educational facilities in the region and

its prefectures.



Table 11: Epirus: Educational Facilities 1989

EDUCATION

LEVEL/YEAR

1989

PRIMARY EDUCATION Number of Schools 456 Number of Pupils 27.583 Number of Teachers 1.669 Student/Teacher Ratio 16.5 JUNIOR HIGH-SCHOOL Number of School 86 Number of Pupils 14.896 Number of Teachers 1.091 Student/Teacher Ratio 13.7 HIGH-SCHOOLS Number of Schools 56 Number of Pupils 9.145 Number of Teachers 733 Student/Teacher Ratio 12.5

Source: Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p. 38.

The student/teacher ratio for the region is lower than the corresponding ratio for the country

as a whole (16.5 compared to 20.7 for Greece on the primary school level in 1989, 13.3

compared to 15.4 for Greece on the junior-high level in 1990 and 11.8 compared to 13.7 for

Greece on the high-school level in 1990). In general, the condition of the schools in the region

is relatively poor as in the rest of the country. Many of the schools located in the mountainous

regions far from the large cities are under-utilised or do not operate due to lack of pupils. The

educational system has a strong orientation toward the humanities, the classics and

disciplines leading to professions under the general heading of ‘management’. The

technical/vocational school system does not provide a high level of skills and is more a

general introduction to a particular craft. Young people are expected to obtain more advanced

training on the job, but there seems to be a tendency to ‘under train’ in order to avoid future

competition from trainees17.

17 Human Resources, p. 391.



5.3 Health

Table 12, below, provides some health statistics for the region and its prefectures for the

year 1991.

Table 12: Epirus: Health Statistics 1991 HEALTH STATISTICS/YEAR

1991

PREFECTURE OF IOANNINA

Hospital Beds 917 Number of Doctors 645 Number of Dentists 125 Number of Pharmacies 88 PREFECTURE OF THESPROTIA Hospital Beds 85 Number of Doctors 57 Number of Dentists 21 Number of Pharmacies 20 PREFECTURE OF ARTA Hospital Beds 119 Number of Doctors 117 Number of Dentists 53 Number of Pharmacies 45 PREFECTURE OF PREVEZA Hospital Beds 132 Number of Doctors 75 Number of Dentists 41 Number of Pharmacies 34 EPIRUS Hospital Beds 1.253 Number of Doctors 894 Number of Dentists 240 Number of Pharmacies 187


In general, the health sector in the region lacks both adequate infrastructure and trained

personnel. Specifically, although the region has 3.3% of the total population of the country, it

has only 2.4% of the country’s hospital beds, 2.4% of the country’s doctors, and 2.4% of the



country’s pharmacies. The region has 5 general hospitals, 11 health centers, 7 private clinics,

39 rural medical centers and 340 private practices18. The prefecture of Ioannina has the

largest number of hospital beds and hosts the newly founded University Hospital with 778

beds19.

5.4 Transportation Infrastructure

5.4.1 Roads

Due to unfavorable geomorphologic conditions, the development of both intra-regional and

trans-regional road networks has been difficult and unsatisfactory. This has contributed to the

region’s historic isolation and its lack of development. Recent developments in Albania and

the former Yugoslavia have increased the importance of improving both the national and

regional road transportation networks in order to take advantage of new opportunities.

Table 13, on the subsequent page, presents some road network statistics for the region and

its prefectures.

18Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p. 39. 19Human and Resources, Planet, p. 21



TABLE 13: Epirus: Road Network Statistics

TERRITORIAL

UNIT/ROAD

NETWORK STATISTICS

Epirus

1988

Prefecture

of Ioannina

Prefecture

of Thesprotia

Prefecture

of Arta

Prefecture

of Preveza

Total Length of Road Network

3,012 km 1,599 km 444 km

587 km 382 km

Length of National Roads 773 km 349 km 151 km

105 km 166 km

Density of National Road Network

0.08

km\square km

N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Length of Mountainous National Roads

506 km N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Length of Flat National Roads

367 km N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Paved National Roads 678 km

(88%)N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Unpaved National Roads 17 km (2%) N/A N/A

N/A N/A

National Roads Under Consortium

78 km (10%) N/A N/A

N/A N/A

National Roads with Good Drivability

33% N/A N/A

N/A N/A

National Roads with Medium Drivability

33% N/A N/A

N/A N/A

National Roads with Poor Drivability

20% N/A N/A

N/A N/A

National Roads with Difficult or Periodic Drivability

10% N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Length of Regional Roads 2.239 km 1.250 km 293 km

480 km 216 km

Paved Regional Roads 47.4% 650 km 234 km

300 km 169 km

Unpaved Regional Roads N/A 490 km 48 km

105 km 28 km

Unusable Regional Roads N/A 110 km 11 km

75 km 19 km

Length of Mountainous Regional Roads

N/A 1,125 km 253 km

375 km 136 km

Length of Flat Regional Roads

N/A 125 km 40 km

105 km 80 km




The North-South group of national roads servicing the region are noted on Map 1. National

Road E-951 connects Ioannina with Arta, Amphilochia and leads to Antirrion. It is the main

route connecting Epirus with the rest of Greece to the south. Generally, the E-951 is in good

condition and the quality of the pavement is good. However, the Rio-Antirrion sea-passage,

which is affected by weather conditions, as well as heavy traffic in the Rio-Antirrion area,

disrupts passage to the south. To the north, the E-951 connects with the E-90/E-853, leading

to Kalpaki and ultimately to Kakavia on the Greek-Albanian border. This road is generally in

good condition and construction is underway to improve it further. To the north-west, the E-90

leads from Kalpaki, Konitsa, and Kozani. National Coastal Road, E-55, connects the ports of

Preveza and Igoumenitsa and will be extended southward to the Prefecture of Etoloakarnania

via the underwater connection of Aktio with Preveza, and northward to the Greek-Albanian

border, near the town of Sagiada in the Prefecture of Thesprotia20. The East-West group of

national roads servicing the region are noted on Map 2. National Roads E-90/E-92 connect

the port of Igoumenitsa with Ioannina and Metsovo, and the extension of the E-92 to the east

links the region with the rest of Greece through the Katara saddle (to Trikala and Volos).

However, the E-92 is in poor condition which creates traffic problems year-round. In the

winter, the Katara saddle is unusable during snowstorms. Traffic problems have increased

since the outbreak of hostilities in the former Yugoslavia. National Road No. 21 links Preveza,

Philipiada and Arta and extends eastward via National Road 30 to Trikala and via regional

Road No. 12 to Karditsa. Both extensions are under construction. Finally, the road from Aktio

to Vonitsa to Amphilochia, although it does not belong to the region of Epirus, connects the E-

55 with Antirrion.

The initial design of the proposed Egnatia Road, with its branch to Volos and its relation to the

rest of the National road-transport network, are noted on Maps 3 and 4, respectively. The

Egnatia Road will link Igoumenitsa with Ioannina, Metsovo, Kozani, Veria and Thessaloniki.

Its total length will be approximately 150 km and its estimated cost of construction is 1

BECU21. Sections of the Egnatia Road, which are currently under construction and are co-

financed by the INTERREG program, are the Metsovo Tunnel (total length: 3,485 metres and

estimated cost 70 MECU), the Anilio and Malakasi ‘B’ tunnels (total length: 325 metres and

200 metres, respectively and estimated total cost: 8.7 MECU), and the first part of access to

the Metsovo Tunnel (total length: 22 km and estimated cost: 40 MECU)22. The construction of

the Egnatia Road is considered instrumental to the lifting of the isolation of the region of

Epirus, and is expected to serve as a major link between Central Europe and the Middle East

and to contribute to the region’s social and economic development, especially in light of the

current political situation in the former Yugoslavia23. The existing road-transport network,

connecting Greece with Central Europe through Yugoslavia, is shown on Map 5.

20Human Resources, p. 350. 21Human Resources, p. 353. 22Human Resources, p. 354. 23Human Resources, p. 354



5.4.2 Harbours

The two ports of Epirus in the Ionian Sea are the port of Preveza, to the south, and the port of

Igoumenitsa, to the north. As mentioned previously, the port of Preveza cannot be expanded

as it is located at the entrance of Amvrakikos Bay, which is protected under the Ramsar

Treaty. It is small and lacks infrastructure. The port of Igoumenitsa also suffers, due to lack of

infrastructure and organisation, yet it has potential for expansion in order to serve as a

gateway from Greece to Central and Western Europe. The port is used for the transportation

of passengers, and, along with the port of Patras, serves the main bulk of the transport of

Greek products to Central Europe via Italian motorways24. The location of the port and its

connection with Italian ports and Italian and Austrian motorways is shown on Map 6.

5.4.3 Airports

There are two airports in the region of Epirus. The larger of the two is located in the town of

Ioannina. Daily flights connect Ioannina with Athens and Thessaloniki and weekly flights with

Tirana, Albania. Domestic flights are operated by Olympic Airlines and are conducted by

small propeller-driven planes (ATR-42 and ATR-72). Although the runway is suitable for the

landing of larger planes, a lack of infrastructure and reliable flight security systems has

inhibited such flights. Some improvements have been made (co-financed by the Structural

Funds) which include the expansion of the facilities, runway lighting installation, the fencing of

the airport area and the installation of certain radio transmitters). The airport of Aktio is

located at the southern end of the region, across from the port of Preveza. It is a military

airport, but it is used by Olympic Airways for flights and, in the summer, for international

charter flights. Both its military character and its distance from Ioannina have inhabited its

further development.

24Human Resources, p. 352.



5.4.4 Railways

There is no railway network in Epirus.

5.5 Telecommunications Infrastructure The telecommunications network currently servicing the region is inadequate. Tables 14 and

14A present some telecommunications statistics for the region and its prefectures.

Table 14: Epirus: Telephones Per 100 Inhabitants 1992

Prefecture of Ioannina 42.3 Prefecture of Thesprotia 33.6 Prefecture of Arta 29.7 Prefecture of Preveza 42.3 Epirus 38.2 Greece 50.9


Table 14A: Epirus: Main Telephone Lines Per 100 Inhabitants 1992 Prefecture of Ioannina 37.7 Prefecture of Thesprotia 30.8 Prefecture of Arta 28.6 Prefecture of Preveza 37.6 Epirus 36.8 Greece 47.2


The number of telephones per 100 inhabitants is lower than the comparable figure for Greece

as a whole. The index for the prefectures of Ioannina and Preveza (42.2 telephones per

inhabitants) is closer to the Greek average (50.9 telephones per 100 inhabitants).

Approximately 28,061 applications for new lines were outstanding in the year 1992, while

17,646 applications were approved in the same year and 5,771 were submitted for approval.

The delay period in satisfaction of outstanding applications in the year 1990 was 6 years,

which is the same as in the rest of Greece25. Installed capacity in the region covered 93% of

regional demand, compared to 94.4% for Greece as a whole26. Digitalisation had covered

4.9% of the telephone lines in the region in 1992 compared to 14% for Greece as a whole27.

25Regional Job Markets. A Study of the Region of Epirus, pp. 34-35. 26Human Resources, p. 227. 27Human Resources, p. 230.



The quality of telecommunications is also very poor with an average of 6.9 faults per 100

main lines per month in the year 1989, compared to a national average of 5.3.

6. THE ECONOMY

6.1. Primary Sector

As seen in Table 9, in 1981, 14.11% of the land in Epirus was used for agricultural holdings,

50.97 was grassland and 26.23% was covered by forests (compared to 29.9%, 39.8% and

22.4%, respectively for the country as a whole). Only 33.2% of land used for agricultural

holdings is flatland, compared to 55.7% for the country as a whole28. In 1989, 37.4% of the

land used for agricultural holdings was irrigated (compared to a national average of 29.9%)29.

The largest percentage of irrigated land is located in the prefecture of Arta (54.3%), followed

by the prefecture of Preveza (43.1%)30. The geomorphology of the region (unavailability of

flatland, extensive grassland and forests, rich water resources) has contributed to its

comparative advantage in stock-farming, forestry and fisheries, while farming is less

developed and serves mainly to satisfy stock-breeding demands. More specifically, stock-

farming accounts for 62% of GRP in the primary sector; farming accounts for 35%; forestry

accounts for 2%; and fisheries account for 1%31. Sheep and goat breeding account for 17.8%

of total Greek production, and poultry and pig breeding for 14.5%, each. Cattle breeding is

rather less developed, accounting for 6.6% of the national total32.

Tables 15 and 15A present the main agricultural and farming products for the region in the

year 1991.

28General Study-Framework for Border Regions of Greece-European Community Programme INTERREG, Athens, December, 1991 (hereinafter, General Study-Framework), Volume 4, Chapter 3-Epirus, p. 8. 29General Study-Framework, Ôåý÷ïò ÔÝôáñôï, ÊåöÜëáéï 3-Çðåéñïò, p. 42. 30General Study-Framework, Ôåý÷ïò ÔÝôáñôï, ÊåöÜëáéï 3-Çðåéñïò, p. 42. 31Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 42. 32Human Resources, p. 386



TABLE 15: Epirus: Main Agricultural Products 1991

Product Tons Olive-oil (thousands of tons) 4,559Tobacco 2,110Cotton 1,975Cereals 3,947Citrus 173,760Apples 1,752Peaches 1,470Potatoes 38,307Tomatoes 32,127

Source: Regional Job Markets. A Study of the Region of Epirus, p. 29 TABLE 15A: Epirus: Main Farming Products 1991

Product Tons Meat (thousands of tons) 52,806 Milk 131.194 Soft Cheese 11.630 Hard Cheese 3.459 Eggs (thousands of pieces) 132.346

Source: Regional Job Markets, A Study of the Region of Epirus, p. 43. The prefecture of Ioannina has rather developed sheep and goat, bird and pig breeding

industries. The main agricultural products are cereals, corn, rye and barley, which serve to

meet local stock-breeding needs. The main agricultural products in the prefecture of

Thesprotia are olives, corn and clover. Sheep, goat and pig breeding are relatively developed

but generally declining. Fishing is not as developed as it should be and the few fisheries in

the prefecture specialise in dorado and bass. The prefecture of Preveza produces garden

produce in greenhouses. Agricultural products, produced in the prefecture, also include edible

olives used for oil production. Sheep and goat breeding is relatively developed, as is pig

breeding, especially in the region of Filippiada. Fishing is also developed, with a number of

trout fisheries along the river Louros and the shores of Amvrakikos Bay. The agricultural

products of the prefecture of Arta, with the exception of citrus production, supply its especially

developed sheep and goat breeding industry. The prefecture’s citrus production supplies the

two juice factories in the region.



The primary sector employs the largest percentage of the region’s workforce (45.8% in

1990)33. Approximately 22% of the workforce employed in the primary sector were men and

23% were women34.

Generally, production takes place in small, family-operated units, with the exception of few

larger pig and bird breeding units. It is noteworthy that in 1987, only 7% of the total number of

households employed in the primary sector declared farming and/or stock-breeding as their

exclusive occupation and approximately 40% of the members of households employed in the

primary sector had a second occupation35.

In general, further development of the farming industry requires improvement of the irrigation

network and the application of more advanced cultivation methods. Problems in stock

breeding are related to the lack of animal feed, the small size and wide dispersion of

production units, weak infrastructure, the reluctance of young people to enter the industry and

pollution caused by poultry and pig farms. The forestry sector faces problems related to land

ownership, conflicts over land use and lack of a manufacturing industry for timber production.

6.2 Secondary Sector

The manufacturing industry in Epirus is underdeveloped compared to the rest of the country.

Although the region has approximately 3.3% of the country’s population and produces

between 2.3 to 2.5% of the Gross National Product, manufacturing in Epirus contributes only

between 0.6 to 1.4 of the manufacturing Gross National Product36. Manufacturing accounted

for 39% of GRP in 1987 (up from 33% in 1970)37.

Table 16, below, presents the number of manufacturing units operating in the region and

each of its prefectures in the year 1988. Table 17 presents the number of manufacturing units

by sector for the same year.

Table 18 presents the sectors with specialisation coefficients greater than 2 for the region and

its prefectures for the year 1984.

33Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 94. 34Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 95. 35Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 95. 36Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 98. 37Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 98.



Table 16: Epirus: Number of Manufacturing Units 1988

Prefecture

Units

Prefecture of Ioannina 1,990(54.4%)

Prefecture of Thesprotia 412(11.3%)

Prefecture of Arta 659(18%)

Prefecture of Preveza 600(16.4%)

Epirus 3.661

Source: Regional Job Markets, A Study of Epirus, p. 46 TABLE 17: Number of Manufacturing Units by Sector 1988

Sector Units Food 670Beverages 29Tobacco --Textiles 107Clothing and Footwear 338Wood-Cork 618Furniture 219Paper 2Printing 52Leather 5Rubber 65Chemicals 21Petroleum Products 4Non-Metallic Minerals 215Metallurgy 1Metal Products 500Machinery 55Electrical Supplies 124Transport Equipment 519Misc. 111Total 3.655




Table 18: Manufacturing Sectors with Specialisation Coefficients Greater than 2, 1984

Sectors Prefecture of

Ioannina

Prefecture of

Thesprotia

Prefecture of

Arta

Prefecture of

Preveza 201-Butchery, Meat Production and Preservation

6.3 (1.1) 2.3 8.6

202-Dairy Products 4.7 2.2 2.1 (1.7) 203-Preserved Fruits, Vegetables, Oils Fish

7.6 (1.0)

204-Oils and Fats 4.4 5.3 205-Cereals and Beans (1.2) 4.3 (1.0) 208-Chocolate and Sugar Confectionery

(1.5) 2.1

211-Spirits-Wines and Beer

(1.3) 2.2

214-Non-alcoholic Beverage and Mineral Waters

5.1

231-Yarns-Fabrics of Natural and Artificial Wool

2.1 2.4 3.2

232-Yarns-Fabrics of Natural and Artificial Cotton

9.0 5.4

239-Other Textile Industries

(1.1) 2.7

242-Clothing 2.5 (1.2) 251-Wood Manufacturing

2.9

252-Wood Construction Materials

(1.6) (1.8) 3.0 2.0

253-Wood Packaging Article, Baskets

10.1

259-Wood and Cork Articles

4.5

329-Petrol and Carbon by-Products

3.1 4.6

331-Burned Clay Construction Materials

5.9 4.6 2.3

335-Lime-Gypsum-Putty 2.2 336-Cement and Cement Products

(1.8) 2.4

337-Marble and Marble Products

9.0 2.8 (1.9)

339-Non Metallic Mineral Products

2.9

353-Metal Building Materials and Metal Constructions

2.5 2.2.

357-Copper, Bronze and Lead Products

3.8

386-Bicycles and Motor-Cycle Repairs

3.2

394-Jewellery and Clock Production

3.8

Source: Human Resources, Planet, p. 41

In 1988, there were 3,661 manufacturing units operating in the region. Clearly, the largest

number of manufacturing units (54.5%) are located in the prefecture of Ioannina, followed by

the prefecture of Arta (with 18%D). From tables 17 and 18, it is apparent that the main

manufacturing sectors in the region are food (with an emphasis on dairy products),

beverages, wood products, textiles, non-metallic minerals, metal products and jewellery (in



the prefecture of Ioannina). Specifically, in the prefecture of Ioannina, there are approximately

80 marble production units, approximately 30 dairy product units (the largest one being the

Dodoni Milk factory), close to 500 poultry farms, a significant number of meat and egg

factories, some chemical factories, food and beverage units (three modern wineries in the

Metsovo-Zitsa area, three bottled water factories, a Coca-Cola plant, three animal feed units,

a number of pig factories and fisheries specialising mainly in trout), building and related

material units, machinery units, wood product units (specialising mostly in furniture and roof

materials), approximately 130 metal product units, jewellery units and textile factories. The

prefecture of Thesprotia has a very underdeveloped manufacturing sector, the only exception

being the operation of one textile factory near Filiates. The largest number of manufacturing

units in the prefecture of Arta are in the food and beverage sector. There are two large juice

factories, five alcoholic beverage plants, pork-meat and meat plants, a large chocolate

factory, some small building and related material units, small wood product units, small metal

product units, small textile factories and a number of small dairy product units. The prefecture

of Preveza has only a few small dairy product units, small building and related material units,

and one large textile factory. There are approximately 9 factories operating in the newly

founded industrial zone located near the town of Preveza38.

Most manufacturing units are small, exploit local materials and offer their products mainly in

local markets. As shown below in Table 19, most manufacturing units employ less than 50

persons. Only 17 units employ more than 50 persons and of these, only 4 employ over 200

persons (in the food and textile industries)39.

38Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, pp. 46-47. 39Human Resources, The socio-Economic Morphology of the Region of Epirus, p. 42.



TABLE 19: Epirus: Number of Manufacturing Units by Sector of Economic Activity

and Number of Employees 1984

Sector/Units 0-9 10-49 50+ Total number of

Units

Total number of Employees

20-Food 755 22 6 783 3.058

21-Beverages 34 6 -- 40 214

Tobacco -- -- -- --

23-Textiles 132 6 2 140 --

24-Clothing and

Footwear

343 12 4 359 1.286

25-Wood-Cork 595 10 -- 605 1.359

26-Furniture 230 7 -- 237 670

27-Paper -- 1 -- 1 8

28-Printing 47 1 -- 48 138

Leather 3 -- -- 3 4

30-Rubber 68 2 -- 70 163

31-Chemicals 8 1 -- 9 60

32-Petroleum

Products

1 3 -- 4 41

33-Non-Metallic

Minerals

209 38 2 249 1.493

Metallurgy 0 0 0 0 0

35-Metal Products 565 5 3 573 1.359

36-Machinery 60 2 -- 62 164

37-Electrical

Supplies

108 -- -- 108 174

38-Transport

Equipment

436 3 -- 439 878

39-Misc. 100 2 -- 102 225

Total 3.695 120 17 3.832 12.417




The secondary sector employs the smallest percentage of the region’s workforce (20.4% in

1990, up from 17% in 1970)40. The largest employers in the region are the food, wood

textiles, metal products, non-metallic minerals, transport equipment and clothing and footwear

industries (in descending order), all employing a larger percentage of the regional workforce

than the national average (with the exception of the transport equipment industry).

Employment in the food, beverage, clothing and wood industries decreased in the period

between 1978 and 1988, while employment in the textiles, printing, rubber, chemical,

electrical supply and transport equipment increased during the same period. Table 20, below,

presents employment by sector for the region and Greece for the year 1988.

Table 20: Epirus, Greece: Employment by Sector 1988 (expressed in %)

Sector/Units Epirus Greece20-Food 25.7 14.721-Beverages 1.4 1.9Tobacco -- 1.823-Textiles 10.8 9.424-Clothing and Footwear

8.3 4.3

25-Wood-Cork 11.2 4.326-Furniture 5 1.727-Paper -- 3.228-Printing 1.5 1.7Leather -- 2.730-Rubber 1.1 3.931-Chemicals 0.7 1.032-Petroleum Products 0.2 5.333-Non-metallic-Minerals

0.1 1.4

Metallurgy -- 1.435-Metal Products 10.3 6.636-Machinery 1.1 3.137-Electrical Supplies 1.4 3.138-Transport Equipment

8.8 9.8

39-Misc. 1.6 1.9Total 100 100

Source: Regional Job Markets, A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 109.

40Regional Job Markets. A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 98



The underdevelopment of the manufacturing sector is due to the small size of the majority of

units, the specialisation in traditional sectors characterised by low profitability, the lack of

technology and specialised personnel, and the low level of investment.

Combined with the geographic isolation and the lack of infrastructure in the region discussed

previously, these factors have contributed to the orientation of manufacturing in the region

almost exclusively toward local markets. Future development will require the improvement of

the regional infrastructure in general, the development of production for export, the

modernisation and expansion of existing manufacturing units exploiting the region’s natural

resources, the upgrading of traditional activities and of sectors where the region is already

specialised, and the development of reliable information-distribution networks.

6.3 Tertiary Sector

The tourism industry dominates the tertiary sector, even though it is not particularly developed

throughout the region, with the exception of the town of Parga (prefecture of Preveza) and

some areas along the Ionian coastline. Development is hindered by the lack of infrastructure

and limited promotional activities. The region has only 2.2% of the country’s hotel units and

1.8% of its capacity41. In 1990, there were 132 hotels, with a total capacity of 6,644, 16

camping sites (with room for 3,909 campers) and 2,011 ‘rooms-to-let’ units (operating under

the authority of the National Tourism Organisation) with a total capacity of 4,27542. Only

28.1% of the tourists were foreigners43.

The tertiary sector employed approximately 33.8% of the region’s workforce in 1990.

Employment in the tertiary sector appears to be on the rise, due mainly to the development of

the tourist industry and increased demand for services. The tertiary sector is absorbing the

workforce which is departing from the primary sector. Commerce in the region employs 6.2%

of the region’s workforce (1990). In 1988, the number of stores in the region was about 6,000,

employing an average of 1.8 persons per store. 50% of the stores in the region and 51% of

the workforce employed in commerce are located in the prefecture of Ioannina44.

41General Study-Framework, p. 16. 42General Study-Framework, p. 15. 43Regional Job Markets, A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 47. 44Regional Job Markets, A study of the Region of Epirus, p. 101.



There is great potential for development in the tourism industry. The region has all of the

necessary preconditions (clean beaches, beautiful landscapes, archeological sites,

picturesque villages) to attract tourists year round, provided that the necessary infrastructure

projects are completed. Because the tourism industry is considered to be one of the most

critical industries conducive to exploitation for the economic development of Epirus, an

appendix (Appendix A) devoted to the tourism-related infrastructure that currently exists in the

region has been added to this document.



6.4 Basic Economic Indices

Table 21, below, sets forth some basic economic indices for the prefectures of Ioannina,

Thesprotia, Arta and Preveza and the corresponding national average.

Table 21: Basic Economic Indices

Economic Indices

Ioannina Thesprotia Arta Preveza Greece

Average Yearly Rate of Change of Population 1981-1991

0.65 0.69 -0.15 0.52 0.52

Primary Education Students (% of total population) 1989

8 8.6 7.5 8.8 8.1

Junior High Students (% of total population) 1990

4.2 4 4 5.1 4.3

High-School Students (% of total population) 1990

2.8 2.2 2.6 3.2 2.6

Primary Education Schools per 1,000 Inhabitants 1989

1.32 1.52 1.23 1.44 0.77

Junior High School per 1,000 Inhabitants 1990

0.27 0.27 0.25 2.20 0.17

High-School per 1,000 Inhabitants 1990

0.14 0.11 0.14 0.14 0.11

Hospital Beds per 1,000 Inhabitants

5.83 1.92 1.51 2.24 4.99

Doctors per 1,000 Inhabitants

4.09 1.29 1.48 1.27 3.63

Per Capita Income 1990 137.389 136.935 116.126 133.131 179.040 Number of Housing Units per 1,000 Inhabitants 1991

462 447 407 406 457

Investments in millions of drachmas per 1,000 Inhabitants

41.1 34.5 49.1 37.5 456.9

Number of Manufacturing Units per 1,000 Inhabitants 1988

12.7 9.3 8.3 10.2 14.1

Number of Retail Stores per 1,000 Inhabitants 1988

16.9 14.4 14,3 17 18

Number of Wholesale Stores per 1,000 Inhabitants 1988

2.2 1.5 1.3 1.9 3

Number of Motor Vehicles per 1,000 Inhabitants 1990

104 73.3 75.5 76 165.8

Consumption of Electric Energy in KWH per 1,000 Inhabitants 1991

1,719 861 1,170 1,568 2,884

Deposits in millions of Drachmas per 1,000 Inhabitants 1990

644 558 431 537 779

Agricultural Holdings per 1,000 Inhabitants

2.539 5.082 4.419 5.389 3.898

Hotel Unit Total Capacity per 1,000 Inhabitants 1991

15.8 31.3 4.9 44.7 44.7

Paved Road Network (%) 1986

62.6 59.4 69.8 77.5 70.4

Road Network (in Km) per 100 square Km

28.3 31.1 30.3 35.2 28.8



In general, most indices for the region are lower than the corresponding national averages. It

appears that the prefecture of Ioannina is the most developed of the four prefectures of the

region. More specifically, all prefectures exhibited a positive average yearly rate of change of

the population between 1981 and 1991, which was equal to or greater than the national

average, with the exception of the prefecture of Arta, which exhibited a negative average

yearly rate of change. Indices of the educational level in the region are close to or greater

than the national average, as discussed more fully in Section 4. In the health sector, the

prefecture of Ioannina is clearly more developed than the other prefectures and the country

as a whole. Per capita income in 1990 was below the national average in all four prefectures

and highest in the prefecture of Ioannina. The number of housing units per 1,000 inhabitants

is close to the national average in the prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia. Investments

per 1,000 inhabitants were highest in the prefecture of Arta, followed by the prefecture of

Ioannina, but are no greater than 10% of the national average in all of prefectures. The

number of manufacturing units, retail and wholesale stores are all below the national average

and lowest in the prefecture of Arta.

There is greater consumption of motor vehicles and electric energy and higher deposits per

1,000 inhabitants in the prefecture of Ioannina than in the other prefectures, but again, this is

below the national average. As discussed more fully above, the prefecture of Preveza has the

largest number of agricultural holdings and the greatest hotel unit capacity (equal to the

national average).



APPENDIX A

Tourism in the Region of Epirus



Tourism in the Region of Epirus

1. Tourism-related Infrastructure

1.1 Hotels

Tables 1, 2, 3, below, depict the number of hotels and rooms-to-let in the region of Epirus by

Prefecture and category in 1995, according to the National Tourist Organization of Greece

(EOT).

Table 1: Hotels and Rooms-to-Let in Epirus, 1995

PREFECTURE HOTELS ROOMS-TO-LET CAMP SITES

Ioannina 63 85 1

Arta 7 5 0

Thesprotia 30 ? 5

Preveza 49 423 9

TOTAL 149 ? 15

Table 2: Hotels in Epirus by Category, 1995

CATEGORY

PREFECTURE A B C D E

Ioannina 1 17 34 5 6

Arta 0 2 3 1 1

Thesprotia 1 9 11 6 3

Preveza 1 10 25 7 6

TOTAL 4 39 73 17 15



Table 3: Rooms-to-let in Epirus by Category, 1995

CATEGORY

PREFECTURE A B C

Ioannina 35 34 16

Arta 2 3 0

Thesprotia ? ? ?

Preveza 173 71 179

TOTAL

A brief description of the Class A’ hotels is included below, in order to give a clearer picture of

the type of accommodation and level of service that is provided by the hotels in the region.

Diasselo-Metsovo Conference Centre, Metsovo, Prefecture of Ioannina

Located on the second floor of the Metsovo Conference Centre, this hotel does not operate

independently, hosting conference guests exclusively. Central heating, private bath, living-

room, bar.

Hotel Regina Mare, Karavostasi, Prefecture of Thesprotia

Built above a private beach, all rooms have a view of the sea. Central heating, private bath,

two tennis courts, basketball court, pool, night-club and bar on the premises and

entertainment for children. The restaurant seats 250. There is a 100-vehicle outdoor parking

area.

Hotel Alpha, Parga, Prefecture of Preveza

Central heating, a/c in all rooms, pool, bar and breakfast area.

It is noted that there is no Class A’ hotel in the Prefecture of Arta or in the city of Ioannina,

which is the capital of the region.



1.2 Restaurants

Table 4 depicts the number of restaurants in the region of Epirus by Prefecture, according to

the Organization of Restaurant Owners’ most recent records. It is noted that these records

are in primitive condition and are considered by the organizations themselves to be

incomplete. They are, however, the only source of information available in this category.

Table 4: Restaurants in Epirus

PREFECTURE RESTAURANTS

Ioannina 82

Arta 59

Thesprotia 50

Preveza 48

TOTAL 239

1.3 Entertainment

Table 5 depicts the number of cafe/bar/clubs in the region of Epirus by Prefecture, according

to the Owners’ Organization’s most recent records. These records are also in primitive

condition but, once again, the only source of information available.

Table 5: Cafe/bar/clubs in Epirus

PREFECTURE Cafe/Bar/Clubs

Ioannina 63

Arta 50

Thesprotia 45

Preveza 30

TOTAL 188

There are ten (10) Art Exhibition Centres/Art Galleries in the Prefecture of Ioannina, one (1) in

the Prefecture of Arta, one (1) in the Prefecture of Thesprotia and one (1) in the Prefecture of

Preveza. In addition, there are four (4) movie theatres in the city of Ioannina, three (3) local

theatre companies and two (2) movie theatres in each of the Prefectures of Arta and Preveza.



1.4 Marinas

There are 4 marinas in the Prefecture of Thesprotia. The marinas of Igoumenitsa, Plataria,

and Sagiada each have a maximum capacity of 40 ships, of up to 5 registered tons each.

Fuel is available from private suppliers. The harbor of Syvota has the same capacity and also

docks passenger boats from the islands of Paxi on a daily basis.

In the Prefecture of Preveza, the Preveza marina has a maximum capacity of 400 ships, of 5

to 200 registered tons each. Fuel is available from private suppliers. The Parga marina

(Valtos location), has a maximum capacity of 7 ships, of up to 5 registered tons each.

1.5 Conference Centres

The Epirot Studies Company (EIM), located in the city of Ioannina has two amphitheater-style

conference rooms, for 120 and 300 persons, respectively, audio-visual equipment, an

exhibition hall and bar. The Ioannina City Cultural Centre has an amphitheater which seats

500 downstairs and 200 on the balcony. A smaller 50-person conference room is also

available. The Centre has audiovisual equipment but no translation facilities.

There are two areas available for conferences and meetings at the University of Ioannina, the

University Great Hall and the Amphitheater of the Philosophy Department. The former has a

capacity of 500 and the latter of 314 persons. Both have audio-visual equipment, a reception

area, an exhibition hall, a bar and a restaurant.

The Metsovo Conference Centre, located in the town of Metsovo and owned and operated by

the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation, is the only organized conference centre in the region. It

provides modern technical and organizational infrastructure in an elegant, traditional building.

The Conference Centre has 2 conference rooms, for 220 and 120 persons, respectively,

state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, translation coverage for 7+1 languages, 5 workshops,

an exhibition hall of 200 square meters, a press room, secretarial support facilities, a lounge,

bar and a restaurant. Conference participants and accompanying persons can stay in the

Conference Centre Inn (17 Class A’ rooms).

The Konitsa Conference Room is located in Konitsa Town Hall. It has one room with a

capacity of 111 persons, audio-visual equipment, translation coverage for 3+1 languages, an

exhibition area and a bar.



The Arta Cultural Centre has three (3) rooms available for conferences and meetings with a

350, 50 and 15-person capacity, respectively. Audio-visual equipment is available. The

smaller rooms double as display areas.

The conference room located in Igoumenitsa Town Hall has a 120-person capacity and

audiovisual equipment. Finally, the Theofanios Room in the city of Preveza hosts conferences

for up to 180 persons.

2. EXISTING PRICING POLICY

Most tourists arriving in the region by air arrive via Olympic Airways at Ioannina airport. The

cost of a round-trip, Athens-Ioannina ticket is Dr. 34,200. The cost of a round-trip,

Thessaloniki-Ioannina ticket is Dr. 10,800. Prices of charter flight tickets to Aktio differ,

depending on the operator.

Daily, there are eight (8) buses from Athens to Ioannina and five (5) buses from Thessaloniki

to Ioannina, which are operated by KTEL. The price of a one-way ticket is Dr. 6,000 and Dr.

5,350, respectively.

Several companies operate passenger ships from Italy to the port of Igoumenitsa, most

stopping at Kerkyra. Indicative prices are given in Table 5 on the subsequent page. All prices

are in Greek Drachmas (low-season and high-season).

Table 6: Indicative Prices of Passenger Lines Operating to Igoumenitsa Port

Prices

Company Route Deck Double

Inside

Double

Outside

Adriatica Igoumenitsa-Brindisi 8,500-

14,500

15,500-

23,500

23,000-

34,500

Minoan-Strintzis

Lines

Patra-Kerkyra-Igoumenitsa-

Venice

14,200-

18,800

32,000-

43,200

43,200-

74,200

Minoan-Strintzis

Lines

Patra-Kerkyra-Igoumenitsa-

Ankona

13,600-

17,800

30,000-

45,200

40,900-

70,500

Agioudimos Lines Igoumenitsa-Brindisi 5,000-

7,000

11,000-

14,000

17,000-

20,000

European Sea Ways Igoumenitsa-Brindisi 5,000 13,000 17,000



There is very little information available concerning hotel and rooms-to-let prices and the

services offered.

The prices for the Class A’ hotels in the region, as outlined in Section 1.2.1, are included in

Table 6 below (Greek Drachmas).

Table 7: Indicative Prices of Class A’ Hotels in Epirus

PRICE

HOTEL Single Double Suite

Diasselo 16,000 22,400 28,000

Regina Mare 9,025-12,350 9,550-18,700 N/A

Alpha 8,262-12,668 9,694-17,074 20,379-29,633

The Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) set floors on the prices of hotel rooms,

furnished apartments, and rooms-to-let.

Table 8: EOT Hotel Floor Prices, 1996 (Low, High Season)

CLASS Single Sgle/bath Double Dble/bath Triple Tple/bath

A’ 3100

4900

5300 8300 5300

8100

7400 12200 N/A 9200

14300

B’ 2300 3500 3600 5600 3700

6400

4600

7100

N/A 5800

8900

C’ 2000 3200 2500 3900 2600

4100

3700 5700 3800

5900

4400

6800

D’ 1600

2500

2200

3300

2300

3600

3200

4900

3200

4900

3500

5400

E’ 1400

2100

1800

2800

2000

3000

2800

4200

2800

4900

2900

4500



Table 8a: EOT Furnished Apartment-room Floor Prices, 1996 (Low, High Season)

CLASS 1 Single

1 Double 1 Single and 1

Double

2 Doubles 1 Single and

2 Doubles

A’ 9000

13900

10000

15400

13600

21100

14700

22700

18400

28400

B’ 6400

9800

7500

11600

10000

15500

11200

17300

13700

21100

C’ 5000

7700

5600

8600

7600

11700

8000

12400

10000

15400

D’ 3500

5300

4400

6800

6300

9800

6900

10700

8800

13600

3. COMPETITION

Unfortunately, there are no official statistics available.

Generally, the tourism sector in the region is considered to be underdeveloped, with the

exception of the coastal areas.

The main disadvantages of the region, with respect to tourism development, are:

1. Isolation, poor national road network connections

2. Lack of infrastructure

3. Lack of specialized personnel in the tourism industry

4. Insufficient planning on a local and national governmental level

Ironically, the region’s advantages stem largely from its isolation and underdevelopment,

namely the fact that its natural attractions remain largely intact and its traditions have been

preserved. There is a small number of tourists in the inland areas.



4. ANALYSIS OF TOURISTIC DEMAND

In this section, touristic demand is analyzed by way of Tables 9-28 below, which depict data

obtained from EOT.

Table 9: Monthly Arrivals, 1990-1995, Area of Ioannina (city of Ioannina, Tzoumerka,

Perama)

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 9,013 8,559 9,270 9,598 10,575 10,339

February 9,251 8,819 10,432 8,933 9,143 9,420

March 10,862 14,790 10,691 10,476 12,882 11,320

April 17,578 16,193 17,357 15,972 17,504 18,859

May 16,798 16,009 15,754 15,627 18,960 16,151

June 17,369 14,945 15,407 13,795 16,675 15,522

July 21,797 20,030 17,917 20,911 19,540 20,315

August 32,759 31,003 24,081 25,833 26,929 22,324

September 17,844 20,396 17,463 19,069 18,736 N/A

October 13,220 15,371 13,949 14,485 13,292 N/A

November 10,669 11,937 11,054 12,171 11,899 N/A

December 10,554 9,688 12,010 11,232 11,097 N/A



Table 10: Overnight Stays by Month, 1990-1995, Area of Ioannina (City of Ioannina,

Tzoumerka, Perama)

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 18,351 17,928 24,886 18,667 21,621 19,677

February 19,301 18,086 26,042 18,591 15,960 17,599

March 22,840 26,853 25,991 21,103 25,726 21,142

April 30,161 29,117 34,747 28,981 30,401 31,575

May 31,546 30,456 32,508 28,985 33,164 28,455

June 31,490 29,407 34,760 26,879 30,858 28,618

July 33,981 33,132 29,458 35,063 36,147 36,913

August 49,998 48,124 40,583 40,863 43,837 38,279

September 30,662 33,916 31,712 31,722 31,571 N/A

October 26,038 31,613 26,934 27,681 25,133 N/A

November 21,441 27,462 21,124 23,057 23,130 N/A

December 22,411 25,525 22,713 22,716 22,793 N/A

Table 11: Monthly Arrivals, 1990-1995, Metsovo

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 1,568 1,637 1,226 1,366 1,858 2,351

February 1,239 812 619 770 717 762

March 330 1,036 923 1,190 1,535 1,092

April 1,707 1,314 1,594 1,584 1,092 2,142

May 576 1,281 1,211 1,574 1,632 N/A

June 1,283 1,092 1,168 1,326 1,430 1,493

July 1,767 1,892 1,517 2,181 2,138 1,992

August 3,740 4,301 3,479 4,371 4,386 4,134

September 1,506 1,307 1,112 1,752 2,108 N/A

October 1,168 1,643 2,182 1,414 1,485 N/A

November 856 992 699 876 1,172 N/A

December 1,957 2,405 1,742 2,020 2,135 N/A



Table 12: Overnight Stays by Month, 1990-1995, Metsovo

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 3,148 2,329 2,120 2,562 3,259 4,137

February 2,422 1,652 1,001 1,408 1,007 1,039

March 721 1,686 1,820 1,976 2,797 1,876

April 3,831 2,337 2,882 2,950 1,784 3,677

May 1,390 1,989 1,907 2,175 2,419 N/A

June 2,193 1,761 1,553 1,806 2,125 2,295

July 3,616 3,242 2,417 3,365 2,826 2,635

August 5,666 5,996 5,427 6,611 6,092 6,359

September 2,307 2,050 1,837 2,933 2,981 N/A

October 2,465 2,807 3,562 2,350 2,708 N/A

November 1,736 1,625 1,238 1,226 2,590 N/A

December 1,957 2,405 1,742 2,020 2,135 N/A

Table 13: Monthly Arrivals, 1990-1995, Konitsa

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 356 366 256 290 405 312

February 244 180 176 N/A 135 N/A

March 175 246 221 224 348 239

April 504 410 350 443 197 409

May 454 371 477 481 376 381

June 385 327 353 347 257 349

July 608 442 378 441 492 289

August 945 1,187 949 1,055 747 669

September 493 356 306 297 365 N/A

October 354 513 519 498 407 N/A

November 321 361 460 308 596 N/A

December 416 359 358 322 476 N/A



Table 14: Overnight Stays by Month, 1990-1995, Konitsa

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 636 2,239 737 661 896 717

February 456 397 352 N/A 220 N/A

March 261 415 448 422 709 437

April 924 917 699 852 296 776

May 728 763 750 676 727 732

June 515 570 625 472 414 426

July 1,619 1,592 496 1,100 587 535

August 2,825 2,901 1,596 2,395 1,222 1,050

September 669 558 586 427 532 N/A

October 613 921 829 849 804 N/A

November 554 702 685 462 1,475 N/A

December 1,048 787 682 787 810 N/A

Table 15: Monthly Arrivals, 1990-1995, Zagori Area

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 170 151 173 199 128 318

February 130 47 80 N/A 112 126

March 142 244 126 134 280 164

April 413 457 215 423 281 498

May 221 411 420 234 566 247

June 373 347 534 184 198 348

July 257 706 344 312 471 246

August 408 888 642 411 734 540

September 420 354 207 204 303 N/A

October 468 265 297 299 324 N/A

November 302 100 223 144 189 N/A

December 316 294 178 161 408 N/A



Table 16: Overnight Stays by Month, 1990-1995, Zagori Area

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 365 254 576 320 495 1,128

February 301 99 142 N/A 191 233

March 349 526 296 264 896 373

April 1,042 1,019 695 1,454 1,184 1,287

May 501 809 977 1,092 1,933 408

June 868 590 927 386 571 588

July 678 1,526 1,168 869 1,378 547

August 1,153 1,744 1,975 1,415 1,996 1,022

September 702 719 415 437 786 N/A

October 1,290 601 640 804 979 N/A

November 436 247 356 279 586 N/A

December 1,109 1,211 774 600 1,231 N/A

Table 17: Monthly Arrivals, 1990-1995, Prefecture of Thesprotia

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 2,052 6,062 1,407 1,718 2,012 1,482

February 1,314 1,074 2,176 1,270 1,589 1,728

March 2,523 1,868 2,240 1,229 2,009 1,981

April 4,146 2,635 2,549 1,772 2,556 1,768

May 4,349 3,395 5,183 3,472 3,591 4,180

June 5,741 2,618 5,014 2,738 4,381 3,823

July 9,787 5,755 8,490 8,557 7,608 8,382

August 13,640 8,661 12,148 9,085 11,752 8,120

September 5,451 4,547 7,688 4,608 6,614 N/A

October 2,231 2,044 1,253 3,078 1,775 N/A

November 1,897 1,483 1,944 2,479 1,210 N/A

December 1,734 1,379 1,424 845 1,594 N/A



Table 18: Overnight Stays by Month, 1990-1995, Prefecture of Thesprotia

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 2,960 7,866 3,191 2,370 2,861 2,200

February 1,738 1,494 4,500 1,560 2,240 3,243

March 2,750 4,131 2,974 1,736 2,689 3,129

April 5,351 3,673 3,368 2,227 3,461 2,978

May 6,686 5,158 8,695 5,163 5,256 6,216

June 9,547 4,605 8,798 4,555 6,705 5,729

July 15,793 9,442 13,112 13,125 12,064 21,385

August 22,852 14,197 20,133 15,120 18,615 10,829

September 8,629 6,904 8,992 7,441 10,129 N/A

October 3,277 2,748 1,750 4,033 2,913 N/A

November 2,852 2,799 2,642 3,021 2,741 N/A

December 2,362 3,622 1,810 1,128 2,243 N/A

Table 19: Monthly Arrivals, 1990-1995, Syvota

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

February N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

March N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

April N/A N/A N/A 370 N/A 146

May 586 501 412 425 538 628

June 864 633 878 1,537 893 1,444

July 1,471 946 1,000 2,868 2,210 1,222

August 1,823 1,679 1,545 2,135 2,235 4,187

September 897 634 494 731 680 N/A

October 203 177 21 308 N/A N/A

November N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

December N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A



Table 20: Overnight Stays by Month, 1990-1995, Syvota

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

February N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

March N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

April N/A N/A N/A 890 N/A 405

May 4,559 4,208 2,711 3,206 4,532 4,941

June 7,588 5,710 8,333 8,766 8,286 10,226

July 11,304 8,074 5,853 16,609 13,469 4,875

August 14,844 10,720 11,660 13,952 14,273 25,638

September 7,586 5,968 5,307 7,053 6,576 N/A

October 2,852 2,926 501 3,277 N/A N/A

November N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

December N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Table 21: Monthly Arrivals, 1990-1995, Preveza

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 2,341 2,089 2,381 2,336 2,272 2,586

February 2,541 2,091 2,484 2,496 2,392 2,493

March 2,096 2,382 2,694 2,631 3,177 3,521

April 3,024 3,730 3,725 3,844 3,633 4,407

May 5,386 4,358 4,771 3,913 4,981 5,045

June 5,309 3,776 5,563 5,255 5,473 5,475

July 8,716 8,265 9,741 8,159 7,835 9,072

August 12,856 10,566 12,167 10,868 12,692 12,744

September 5,218 3,950 5,520 5,038 6,506 N/A

October 2,663 2,570 2,924 3,389 3,088 N/A

November 2,522 2,285 2,288 2,632 3,357 N/A

December 2,188 2,375 2,192 4,332 1,731 N/A



Table 22: Overnight Stays by Month, 1990-1995, Preveza

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 4,111 3,313 3,706 3,822 4,425 5,411

February 4,563 3,323 3,844 4,383 3,843 4,639

March 3,769 4,320 4,911 5,134 5,124 5,708

April 6,058 5,463 8,314 10,194 6,994 9,760

May 12,915 9,066 12,403 10,703 12,807 11,764

June 12,083 9,380 13,533 15,649 15,171 14,595

July 30,238 28,592 35,978 34,866 28,065 34,207

August 50,275 44,673 49,568 43,531 58,645 52,930

September 14,734 10,523 16,903 17,050 20,744 N/A

October 4,093 4,760 4,973 6,632 7,699 N/A

November 5,326 3,489 4,242 5,217 8,190 N/A

December 3,427 3,861 4,250 5,196 4,924 N/A

Table 23: Monthly Arrivals, 1990-1995, Parga

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January N/A 103 76 105 112 118

February 45 67 89 109 70 125

March 217 145 212 151 262 211

April 848 276 392 176 210 608

May 1,710 1,394 1,405 1,256 1,505 2,420

June 4,475 2,753 3,240 2,935 2,494 2,912

July 5,546 5,200 5,718 5,747 5,062 6,981

August 8,101 7,244 7,258 7,989 11,516 10,081

September 2,929 3,917 3,133 2,831 3,899 N/A

October 449 335 311 398 348 N/A

November 131 129 140 106 126 N/A

December 77 81 116 122 128 N/A



Table 24: Overnight Stays by Month, 1990-1995, Parga

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January N/A 109 101 123 186 173

February 57 129 137 149 95 194

March 293 265 455 191 401 323

April 1,703 443 842 284 446 1,414

May 8,103 6,909 5,903 5,492 6,509 8,900

June 22,465 18,131 18,874 14,731 14,885 14,607

July 30,582 36,481 29,675 31,300 23,408 26,829

August 37,897 39,426 39,038 42,658 44,631 37,855

September 18,341 18,099 19,070 17,048 19,617 N/A

October 2,146 1,632 1,175 2,215 1,875 N/A

November 153 163 189 190 193 N/A

December 148 158 259 264 198 N/A

Table 25: Monthly Arrivals, 1990-1995, Arta

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 1,954 1,868 1,643 1,810 1,899 1,971

February 1,916 1,770 1,817 1,897 1,790 1,710

March 2,418 1,958 1,936 2,068 1,948 1,769

April 2,085 1,902 2,026 1,986 1,942 1,912

May 2,156 2,159 2,134 1,825 2,606 1,949

June 1,920 1,927 2,241 1,829 1,545 1,704

July 1,337 2,405 2,599 2,038 2,023 2,090

August 3,078 2,864 3,110 2,114 2,439 2,152

September 2,133 2,276 2,162 2,158 2,126 N/A

October 2,202 2,099 2,328 1,883 1,952 N/A

November 2,007 2,000 1,905 1,969 1,720 N/A

December 1,905 1,813 1,709 1,737 1,397 N/A



Table 26: Overnight Stays by Month, 1990-1995, Arta

YEAR

MONTH 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

January 4,824 4,561 4,177 4,650 4,382 4,519

February 4,571 4,615 4,146 4,696 4,340 4,162

March 5,306 4,778 4,754 4,898 4,427 4,451

April 5,073 4,365 5,497 4,664 4,220 4,629

May 5,213 5,238 4,933 4,483 5,265 4,354

June 4,642 5,078 5,705 4,663 4,593 4,015

July 2,776 5,659 5,513 4,664 4,645 4,070

August 4,980 5,758 7,490 4,043 4,801 3,803

September 4,027 5,166 4,837 4,852 4,795 N/A

October 4,976 4,855 5,264 4,477 4,958 N/A

November 5,319 4,730 4,804 4,600 5,189 N/A

December 5,144 4,410 4,794 4,350 4,582 N/A

Table 27: Greek and Foreign Tourists, 1995

Area Greek (%) Foreign (%)

Parga 36 64

Rest of Prefecture of Preveza 76 24

Syvota 24 76

Rest of Prefecture of Thesprotia 63 37

Zagoria 82 18

Konitsa 88 12

Metsovo 85 15

City of Ioannina 84 16



Table 28: Average Length of Stay of Greek and Foreign Tourists, 1995

Area Greek (in days) Foreign (in days)

Parga 2.5 7

Rest of Prefecture of Preveza 2.5 4.5

Syvota 3.5 8

Rest of Prefecture of Thesprotia 1.5 1.5

Zagoria 2.5 2.5

Konitsa 2.5 1.5

Metsovo 2.5 1.5

City of Ioannina 1.5 1.5

Table 29: Hotels Operating at Full Capacity, 1995

Area % per period

Parga 45% for 6 months

Rest of Prefecture of Preveza 39% for 4 months

Syvota 64% for 4 months

Rest of Prefecture of Thesprotia 24% annually

Zagoria 21% annually

Konitsa 25% annually

Metsovo 27% annually

City of Ioannina 50% annually



5. ANALYSIS OF TOURISM PROMOTION ACTIVITIES

5.1 LOCAL PROMOTION ACTIVITIES

Organized promotional and advertising activities on a local/regional level are fairly limited. These

activities are financed by the organizations’ own funds (EOT, Prefecture or Municipality) and, in

certain cases, by EU or Greek government programs in which these organizations participate.

Having contacted the organizations charged with the promotion of tourism in the region, Table 30

presents a list of activities recently undertaken by each organization.

Table 30: Promotional Activities of Tourism-related Organizations (Epirus)

ORGANIZATION ACTIVITY

National Tourist Organization

(EOT)

1 brochure about the region

3 posters

Prefecture of Ioannina 1 brochure about the Prefecture

80 post cards

4 leaflets on special interest topics

1 tourist guide

12 posters

1 videotape (to be completed 4/1996)

Prefecture of Thesprotia 1 brochure about the Prefecture (30 pages)

Municipality of Ioannina 1 booklet about the Island of Ioannina

1 booklet about Dodoni Archaeological Site

Municipality of Metsovo 1 brochure about the town of Metsovo

Municipality of Konitsa 2 brochures about the town of Konitsa

3 posters

Municipality of Igoumenitsa 1 brochure about the city of Igoumenitsa (10 pages)

Municipality of Arta 1 brochure about the city of Arta (30 pages)

1 map

5 posters

Municipality of Preveza 1 brochure about the city of Preveza (30 pages)

Municipality of Parga 1 brochure about the town of Parga (30 pages)

1 poster



The previously mentioned organizations do not advertise on television or radio.

Tourists learn about local resorts through printed advertisements by resort owners and travel

agencies.

Once again, there is no official information concerning participation in international exhibitions

aimed at the promotion of tourism, however, the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation has

participated in several large, annual exhibitions during the past two years (Geneva, EIBTM-

Frankfurt, M&IT Show-London, Filoxenia-Thessaloniki). There was no organized presence of

organizations aimed at the promotion of tourism in the region of Epirus at any of these

exhibitions, with the exception of the Municipality of Parga, which participated in the Filoxenia

1995 exhibition.

5.2 STRUCTURE OF TOURISTIC PRODUCT PROVIDERS

Table 31 presents the number of travel agencies/tour operators by Prefecture in the region of

Epirus in 1995.

Table 31: Travel Agencies in Epirus by Prefecture, 1995

AREA NUMBER OF TRAVEL AGENCIES

Prefecture of Ioannina 23

Prefecture of Arta 6

Prefecture of Thesprotia 55

Prefecture of Preveza 32

TOTAL 116

Source: Electronic Information Network Epirus-TEL - EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation

Most travel agencies/tour operators are small and family owned. The majority are located in

the coastal areas of the Prefectures of Thesprotia and Preveza.

5.3 PROMOTIONAL TOOLS

There is no information available from official sources regarding the promotional tools

employed by local touristic product providers.

Employees of the Foundation contacted 11 travel agencies in the region by telephone and

requested information about their promotional activities.



Almost all of the travel agencies contacted indicated that they had a very low budget for

advertising. Most advertisements were in the form of printed material (i.e. flyers or

advertisements in magazines), with some advertisements being placed on the radio and very

small number on television. Most travel agencies work with local customers wishing to travel

abroad. Those which work exclusively with incoming foreign tourists have, by far, the largest

budget for advertising.

None of the travel agencies contacted were using multimedia products or the Internet for

advertising. Very few travel agencies have computers and even fewer, if any, have

computers with a CD-ROM drive.

There is no local network of travel agencies. Very few travel agencies have standard

cooperation agreements with travel agencies abroad. There is some movement to join

international organizations aimed at the promotion of tourism (i.e. Green Globe), however,

this is clearly based on private initiative and is not supported by local or governmental

organizations.

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