The religious tourism in Greece: Case study of Saint John Russian in N. Evia

Chantziantoniou, Aggeliki and Dionysopoulou, Panagiota (2017): The religious tourism in Greece: Case study of Saint John Russian in N. Evia. Published in: Journal of Tourism, Heritage & Services Marketing , Vol. 3, No. 2 (31 December 2017): pp. 15-24.

Abstract

The prevailing political and economic conditions both in Greece and around the world determine the general development of all forms of tourism. The development of specific forms of tourism, such as that of religious tourism, gains tremendous interest in the present economic circumstances, as it is a factor in strengthening the national economy and at the same time a legacy for the future with enormous social, cultural and environmental significance. The development of a strategic approach to religious tourism can build on the comparative advantage of our country in this field by creating new tourist sites to attract tourists with intellectual pursuits and special interests. The Prefecture of Evia has a rich range of natural and cultural resources, with particular characteristics of beauty, uniqueness, and authenticity, elements that are required for the design and development of specific forms of tourism. In the case study on religious tourism in Saint John Russian in the Prefecture of Evia, an attempt is being made to explore the contribution of religious tourism to local development and the preconditions for the promotion of the pilgrimage of Saint John Russian to a major destination of religious and cultural interest of international scope. Additionally, an effort is made to highlight the importance of religious tourism as a special form of tourism that contributes to the development of areas hosting religious monuments. Identifying the opportunities and opportunities that exist, exploring its growth prospects and identifying emerging markets, dictates the formulation of policy proposals where combined with the existing specific forms of tourism it will show it as an essential factor in the systematic organisation, exploitation and promotion of the Area.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Tourism; religious tourism; religious motives; special forms of tourism
• Subjects: L - Industrial Organization > L8 - Industry Studies: Services > L83 - Sports ; Gambling ; Restaurants ; Recreation ; Tourism; M - Business Administration and Business Economics ; Marketing ; Accounting ; Personnel Economics > M0 - General

References

Albani, C. (2014). The incoming religious tourism in Greece. Case Study Thessaloniki. Diploma Thesis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, pp. 99.

Andriotis, K. (2008). Sustainability and Alternative Tourism. Athens: STAMOULIS.

Apostolopoulos, K., & Sdrali, D. (2009). Alternative and Mild Rural Tourism. Athens: HELLENIC REPUBLIC, pp.146.

Aslan, D. (2008). Religious tourism as a form of local development. The case of the island of Tinos. Bachelor's thesis. Hellenic Open University, pp.23.

Briassouli, E. (2000). Tourism Development Planning: Characteristic Approaches to Tourism Development: Multi-Scientific Approaches. Athens: P.Tsartas (Ed.) EXANTAS, pp. 123-148.

Christou, E. (1999). Tourism Market Research. Athens: INTERBOOKS, pp.63.

Collins-Kreiner, K. (2006). Christian tourism to the Holy Land:pilgrimage during security crisis. England: Ashgate Publishing Limite, pp.1,7.

Dubisch, J. (2000). The Religious Pilgrimage in Modern Greece, An Ethnographic Approach (Translation Moustri D.). Ethnography series.

Igoumanakis, N., & Krakavitis, K. (2004). Tourism Basic Concepts. Athens: INTERBOOKS.

Internet sources: Kedraka, A. (2008). Interviewing methodology. Athens, Attica, Greece. Available on the website: http://www.adulteduc.gr ( 10/12/2015).

Internet sources: Lagos, D., & Christogiannis, P. (2007). The Development of Religious Tourism in Greece. Available at the site: http://dspace.lib.uom.gr/handle/2459/13614. M. Negrepondis-Delivanis Honorary, (15/1/2016).

Internet sources: Newsroom. (2012). Russians and Religious Tourism. Available on the website: http://www.halkidikinews.gr/index.php?option=com...view..,(2/12/2015).

Internet sources: Poulakis, P., & Lagos, D. (2013). The contribution of religious tourism to regional development. The case of Chios. Available on the website: http://www.citybranding.gr/2013/09/blog-post_26.html, pp.2-8 ( 10/1/2016).

Internet sources: Sigala, M., & Christou, E. (2014). From mass tourism to experience tourism. Available on the website: http://www.hba.gr/5Ekdosis/UplPDFs/sylltomos14/191-206%20Sigala%202014.pdf, pp.204 (8/3/2016).

Internet sources: Synodal Office & HATTA (2015). Collaboration of the Synodal Office of Pilgrimage Tours of the Church of Greece and the Association of Hellenic Tourist and Travel Agencies HATTA. Available on the website: http://www.esslesia.gr/greek/holysynod/commitees/tourism/dt ,(26/10/2015).

Internet sources : WRTA. (2014). Available on the website : http://worlddreligioustravelassociation.blogspot.gr/. Official Blog (15/11/2015).

Jackowski, A., & Smith, V. L. (1992, Vol.19). Polish Pilgrim-Tourists . Annals of Tourism Research, pp.93.

Kokkosis, X, & Tsartas, P. (2001). Sustainable Tourism Development and Environment. Athens: Critique, pp.60-63.

Lagos, D. (2011, Issue 6/2011). Possibilities for the Development of Religious Tourism in the island of Chios. Publication of the Interconnection Committee of the University of the Aegean with the Xios΄Society.

Logothetis, M. (1997). Tourism and Sustainable Development. Chamber of Dodecanese. Rhodes.

Lytras, P. (2001). Religious tourism. A socio-psychological approach. Athens: INTERBOOKS, pp.177.

MacLeod, D. (1997). Alternative tourists on a Canary Island. Tourists and Tourism.Idntifying People and Places (pp. 129-147). Bergram: OXFORD.

Mira, P. (2003, Volume A Athens). From the Pilgrim to the Religious Tourist, Tourist Scientific Review, Volume A. Athens: INTERBOOKS, pp.88.

Mira, P. (2008, Volume 13 (2)). The Parameters of Religion in Cultural Tourism. Buy Without Borders, pp. 152-166.

Mira, P. (2009).Religious tourism. Athens: INTERBOOKS.

Middleton, V. (2009).Marketing in travel and tourism, fourth edition, London and New York: Taylor and Francis Group.

Nyaupane, G., Timothy, D., & Poudel, S. (2015, June). Understanding tourists in religious destinations:A social distance perspective. Tourism Management,Volume48 , pp.343-353.

Pearce, D. (1992, Philadelphia:University of Pennsylvania Press.). Alternatice Tourism:Concepts, Classifications and Questions, In Smith V.L. Eadington W.R., Toursm Alternatives: Potentials and Problems in the Development of Tourism.

Polizos, S. (2014). Religious tourism in Greece is growing rapidly. Hellasforce.

Rinschede, G. (1992). Forms of religious tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, (pp. 54).

Sfakianakis, M. (2000). Alternative forms of tourism. Athens: ELLIN, pp.28.

Smith, V. (1992). The Quest in Guest. Annals of Tourism (pp. 3-4). Research, Vol 19.

Tomasi, L. (2002). From Medieval Pilgrimage to Religious Tourism: the Social and Cultural Economics of Piety . Westprt: Praeger BANK ltd.

Vulkonic, B. (1996). Tourism and Religion, Elsevier Science and Technology.

Wright, K. (2007, November). Religious Tourism.A New Erea, a Dynamic Industry, Leisure Group Travel. Special Edition.

Velissariou, E. (1999). Tourism development and administrative decentralization. Athens: PROPOSMOS, pp.28.