Dramatic Changes in the Continuously evolving Tourist Destinations: The Case of Paralia in Pieria

Zografos, George and Deffner, Alex (2009): Dramatic Changes in the Continuously evolving Tourist Destinations: The Case of Paralia in Pieria. Published in: TOURISMOS: An International Multidisciplinary Journal of Tourism , Vol. 4, No. 2 (15 April 2009): pp. 129-147.

Abstract

This paper examines the evolution of ‘Paralia’ as a key mass tourism destination in northern Greece. The paper analyses the changes which are brought to a destination as a result of its main markets’ current socio-economic situation. Thus, it draws conclusions about the vulnerability of destinations, and how trends in key markets can move destinations to the various stages of the so-called Destination’s Life Cycle. The primary data are derived from a questionnaire survey addressed to citizens. The results of the survey seem to verify previous analyses about the area. Local people tend to compromise with the current situation. At the end, courses of action are suggested which could help the destination to move away from insecurity and stagnation. Proposals based on the outline of the destination’s strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats include the organisation of special events throughout the year and incentives for the attraction of residents from neighbouring urban centres.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Mass tourism destinations, destination’s life cycle, Katerini-northern Greece, Balkan tourists
• Subjects: O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development; M - Business Administration and Business Economics ; Marketing ; Accounting ; Personnel Economics > M1 - Business Administration; L - Industrial Organization > L8 - Industry Studies: Services > L83 - Sports ; Gambling ; Restaurants ; Recreation ; Tourism

References

Butler, R.W. (1980). The concept of a tourist area cycle of evolution, Canadian Geographer, Vol. 24, pp.5-12.

Coccosis, H. & Tsartas, P. (2001). Tourism Development and the Environment, Athens: Kritiki [in Greek].

Cooper, C., Fletcher, J., Gilbert, D., Wanhill, S., ed. R. Shepherd (1993/2004). Tourism Principles and Practice. Harlow, Financial Times/ Prentice Hall.

Deffner, A. & Zografos, G. (2005). A place marketing approach for the promotion of the Greek tourist product in relation to the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. Paper presented at the 5th Mediterranean Conference: Tourism Beyond the Coastline. Thessaloniki, Greece: 22-24 September 2005.

Gospodini, A. (2005). Spatial policies of the development of small Greek cities. Aeihoros: Texts of Urban and Regional Planning and Development, Vol. 4, Issue 1, pp.56-79 [in Greek].

Haywood, L., Kew, F., Bramham, P., Spink, J, Capenerhurst, J. & Henry, I., (1990). Understanding Leisure. Cheltenham, Stanley Thorners ltd.

Lagos, D. (2003). Regional tourism inequalities in Greece and tourism policy measures. In A. Deffner, D. Konstadakopoulos and Y. Psycharis (Eds). Culture and Regional Development in Europe: Cultural, Political and Social Perspectives, Volos: University of Thessaly Press.

Palandjian, G. (2000). Greece as a tourist destination for the German Tour Operators, Unpublished MSc Thesis. Guildford, United Kingdom, University of Surrey.

Pearce, D. (1989). Tourist Development. Essex, Longman.

Petrakos, G. (2004). Regional inequalities and regional policy in Greece. Aeihoros: Texts of Urban and Regional Planning and Development, Vol. 3, Issue 1, pp.6-31 [in Greek].

Psycharis, Y. (2004). Regional programmes and regional policy in Greece: evaluation and prospects. Aeihoros: Texts of Urban and Regional Planning and Development, Vol. 3, Issue 1, pp.56-79 [in Greek].

Sekaran, U. (2000). Research Methods for Business. Ney York, John Wiley and Sons.

Spilanis, I. (2000). Tourism and regional development: the case of the Aegean islands. In P. Tsartas (Eds.), Tourism Development: A Multidiscipline Approach, Athens: Exantas [in Greek]

Zografos, G. (1999). Developing a mountain area through tourism, Unpublished Undergraduate Diploma Thesis. Xanthi, Greece: Democritus University of Thrace. [in Greek]

Zografos, G. (2000). The relevance of feasibility studies when developing innovative hotel products, Unpublished MSc Thesis. Guildford, United Kingdom: University of Surrey.