The culture and the environment

The foundations of sustainable tourism.

an industry qualitatively upgraded and competitive

The new age requires actions with terms and conditions that protect and upgrade our natural and

cultural heritage

“International Networks of environmental and cultural

tourism”

When we speak about tourism

we usually have in our mind…

the sun and the sea

and we consider obvious that one will be

interested in seeing

the sights of a region,

certain archaeological sites,

the museums.

Why is that?

Because of…..•the great number of tourists from northern Europe that discovered hot sun - light blue sea, a smile, a Greek salad, a slice of watermelon and low prices.

•the marks of centuries-old history

•The growth of internal tourism with the rise of the standard of living of the Greeks that was oriented towards non cultural elements. Swimming, sunbathing, food that resulted in the destruction and pollution of environment

Today we march to the end of this era.

Because of….

1.competition from cheaper destinations

2. environment degradation and urbanization

3. The degrease of the money that the tourists spend.

4.Position that is covered by individuals of low education

Tourism does not constitute an industry which is friendly to the environment and this is due to the means of transportation, the local overdevelopment and the exhaustion of natural resources

International fora focusing on alternative tourism have come up with suggestions that are mainly limited to Environmental tourism, ecological tourism, agricultural tourism.

Alternative tourism is presented as a sustainable prospect in terms of social, environmental, and economic aspects.

It is mainly regarded as:

•One of the basic supports of local economy

•Opportunity to promote local resources and products•An integral part of the socio-economic structure of the era, activating the local potential•A contribution to the presentation of authenticity and particularity of place while protecting the environment and its balance, as elements essential for a sustainable development•An efficient means of tourist dissemination in space and in time•Being based on the high quality of the product (rather than on the quantitative increase of tourists

A tourism of this form does not eliminate the existing model, but it rather serves as an addition to this, and it leads to a qualitative

upgrade, with proportional positive financial benefits.

The resources that could be developed are as diverse as:

1.construction of traditional places of accommodation

2. The market for local products through the discovery of the local food.

3.Thematic paths. ( proposals based on programs of EEC)

The song of water.Our rivers, with many interesting elements of biodiversity that urge the sightseer to opt for the inland instead of the seaside

Unraveling the threads of historyAs the river of time unravels events tales and myths is revealed to the visitors. Byzantine monuments, in Museums, sites of industrial archaeology, and Places of traditional activities can be visiting as well

Dionysus’s paths The paths of wine bring the visitor in touch with the place, the architecture, people and their idiosyncrasies, their stories, their food and their secrets.Wine tourism gives a boost to the local economy and enhances the cultural identity and the qualities of the area.

A sensory - but never an extrasensory - game.What guides the visitor is the diversity of the landscapes, flora and fauna and the impressions of the senses.On the mountain: the panoramic view, the wild flora, the fruits, the nuts, the odors, the savors, the sounds and touch)In the field: the agricultural sites, the savors, the odors, biodiversity.In the reserves: the riverbed, bird watching, the diversity of trees and the riparian woods.

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Mountain routesWinter sports and tourism is a piece of the mountain tourism that has no time limit and refers to the whole of the activities of outdoor recreation and tourism. Distant walks in the woods, acquaintance with the area’s fauna and touring the woods on horse, are unforgettable experiences for the visitor. The combination of pleasure and lore, enhances the environmental sensitization and increases the financial benefits for the local community

Tourists seek to find themselves in a place, that has nothing to do with anything they are accustomed to, in order to experience a different way of living. Such place includes excursions, adventure, environmentally friendly accommodation units and zones of organic agriculture.

Communities that intend to base their economy on tourism, have to aim to the preservation of their cultural heritage and to a healthy environment. over-commercialization drives to alienation of the area’s character, leaving in it’s wake concrete, fast-food meals and grotesque creations.

Research has shown that people who are more interested in this kind of tourism, are middle aged people between 45 and 64 years old, more women than men, with post-school education and high income. They spend 10% to 15% more per travel day and in products of mostly native culture

Alternative tourists actually desire to get acquainted with the local place, to sense it’s history and culture. They want to feel the lifestyle of another culture, to experience a cultural adventure and to compare the present with the past, in order to comprehend the reasons of change and evolution.

The development of such initiatives entails the collaboration of the state with local enterpreneurs.

It requires an organized plan by the community to enable all local authorities and enterprices

By means of low cost technology all stages of planning could be effectively endorsed.

Promoting the area to attract more tourists presenting the cultural heritage and producing cultural products.

What can networks do The response of an entrepreneur:

if we want to create integrated tourist products and promote them abroad, network “clustersclusters”” are essential, particularly for those working in the field of alternative tourism

The Environmental Education Centre and alternative tourism.

Educational tourism, aimed at young people is in our opinion key to turning a school trip to the appeal of environmental issues. We would therefore suggest the reinforcement of the programs we have created, like the paths of the industrial heritage.

The promotion of the local mills and the revitalization of the myths of the past.

Our center would provide valuable help with its figurative and e-material and of course with its proposals.

Our two national school network give us the opportunity to promote our area all over Greece the image of another Imathia non focused on unemployment and single-crop land but as a place of unique beauty.

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The EEC is a public body, it therefore has no immediate political or private need for customers.

It rather wishes to contribute to the development of the area. We have organized this meeting today in the hope of initiating the interest of the truly innovative local businessmen and also, in the hope of urging them to exploit our resources in a sustainable way. We hope that our involvement in this European program will finally contribute in the further development of the entire region of Imathia

Thank you for your attention

Σας ευχαριστώ για τη συμμετοχή σας και μιας και είμαστε σε περίοδο αποκριάς

Σας λέω δια γραφής Ομάρ Καγιάμ

Τη μέρα την αυριανή, φωνή καμιά δε σου την τάζει.Γι' αυτό φεγγάρι μου θνητό με την ψυχή σου γλέντα,

αδειάζοντας στη φωτοφεγγαριά.Μπορεί ένα μεσονύχτι

να ψάχνει το φεγγάρι να μας βρει και να 'μαστε φευγάτοι…

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