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Residents’ perception of tourism development as a vital step for participatory tourism plan: a research in a Greek protected area

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Abstract

The literature review has revealed the critical role of local residents in ongoing tourism development. The present paper investigates the perceptions of the Greek local population toward tourism development and their engagement in participatory opportunities in a case study of a Greek protected area. According to the results, the respondents have not fully understood the meaning of the protected area. They pay particular attention to activities related to business and economic development, derived from the activities which are proposed as necessary for tourism development. Furthermore, the study shows the weak engagement of the respondents in participatory opportunities which is related to the demographic characteristics of them, as well as to the factors related to economic benefits and environment. However, residents support the need for a new scheme where local population will actively participate in the decision-making process. The supporting role of local authorities is likely to be one of the main factors affecting residents’ intention to engage in participatory opportunities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Ecology Laboratory, Department of Home Economics and Ecology, Harokopio University of Athens, 70 El. Venizelou Ave, Kallithea, 17671, Athens, Greece

    Despina Sdrali, Maria Goussia-Rizou & Pinelopi Kiourtidou

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  1. Despina Sdrali
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  2. Maria Goussia-Rizou
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  3. Pinelopi Kiourtidou
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Correspondence to Despina Sdrali.

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Sdrali, D., Goussia-Rizou, M. & Kiourtidou, P. Residents’ perception of tourism development as a vital step for participatory tourism plan: a research in a Greek protected area. Environ Dev Sustain 17, 923–939 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-014-9573-2

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