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Determining Visitors’ Dispositions Toward the Designation of a Greek National Park

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ABSTRACT

This article presents the findings of the first major visitor survey conducted at the Central Rhodope Mountain Complex, situated in northern Greece. The study area is one of a number of sites planned to become National Parks under a recent initiative of the Greek government. We used a logistic regression method to define significant predictors of visitors’ awareness and attitude toward park designation, as well as their willingness to pay a conditional entrance fee. Study findings demonstrated that the probability of being aware of the park designation initiative is higher for visitors who obtained information from travel agencies or media to make their destination choice, compared to visitors who resorted to word-of-mouth recommendations. Knowledge and attitudes toward animals living in the study area revealed a limited influence on visitors’ dispositions toward park designation. The results of this study call for action to implement education programs for National Park users. These programs should aim at rendering the environmental characteristics of the Central Rhodope Mountain Complex to be significant predictors of visitors’ dispositions toward the study area. This would favor its uniqueness as a destination, as well as contribute to its long-term economic sustainability.

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Acknowledgments

This survey took place within the framework of the LIFE99NAT/GR/006498 project “Implementation of Management Plans in Gramos and Rhodope Areas, Greece.” During the summer and autumn of 2001 and 2002, the Greek environmental NGO ARCTUROS fielded research teams consisting of volunteers who interviewed visitors within the study area. We are grateful to S. Tziouvara, A. Klaro, B. Tzivintzeli, M. Tzimou, I. Vasileiou, E. Roubea, S. Papidaki, Z. Saloniti, A. Blassopoulou, R. Trigkou, K. Antonopoulou, E. Sdona, M. Maravellia, I. Isaak, and L. Gribilakou. The authors would also like to thank the Editor-in-Chief and one anonymous reviewer, as well as R. Richardson, D. Trakolis, and J.M. Halley, for their helpful comments on an early draft of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ARCTUROS: Civil Society for the Protection andManagement of Wildlife and the Natural Environment, 3 V. Hugo Street, Thessaloniki , 546 25, Greece

    Ioannis Machairas

  2. Department of EcologySchool of Biology, Aristotle University, UPB 119, Thessaloniki , 541 24, Greece

    Tasos Hovardas

Authors
  1. Ioannis Machairas
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  2. Tasos Hovardas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tasos Hovardas.

Appendix. Questionnaire

Appendix. Questionnaire

1. Are you aware of the initiative undertaken for the Central Rhodope Mountain Complex to become a National Park?

Yes

No

2. Do you agree with the initiative undertaken for the Central Rhodope Mountain Complex to become a National Park?

Yes

No

3. If the Central Rhodope Mountain Complex became a National Park, would you pay a conditional entrance fee in order to be able to visit the area?

Yes

No

4. How do you characterize your personal knowledge on the environmental elements of the area?

Poor

Moderate

Satisfactory

5. Which of the animals listed below occur (A) and should be protected in the area (B)?

A B

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)

Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Old World Grouse (Tetrao urogallus)

Wild Pig (Sus scrofa)

Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus)

Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)

Otter (Lutra lutra)

Elk (Cervus elaphus)

6. The establishment of a National Park is attended by

prohibition of human activities.

regulation of human activities.

7. Most important for the conservation of the Central Rhodope Mountain Complex is

the observance of use restrictions.

guaranteeing locals’ and visitors’ access to the area.

8. Which of the factors listed below satisfied you most during your stay in the area?

Landscape/wilderness

Low tourist numbers

9. Which of the factors listed below disappointed you most during your stay in the area?

Lack of infrastructure

Litter-related impacts

10. Do you belong to an environmental group? a hunters’ club?

No group adherence

11. Education level

Elementary/high school

University

12. Age

13. Gender

Male

Female

14. Distance of place of residence

≤100km

>100km

15. How did you make the choice to visit the Central Rhodope Mountain Complex?

Travel agency/media

Friends/relatives

16. How long are you going to stay in the area?

Up to 2 nights

Longer

17. Date

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Machairas, I., Hovardas, T. Determining Visitors’ Dispositions Toward the Designation of a Greek National Park. Environmental Management 36, 73–88 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-003-0251-7

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