Domestic Tourism in Greece and Special Interest Destinations: The Role of Alternative Forms of Tourism

ABSTRACT

The present paper aims at presenting the results of recent research concerning the quality characteristics of domestic tourism in Greece. In the first part of this paper, an analysis of the basic characteristics of travels affected by Greeks, is presented using the data drawn from an empirical study carried out in 1999 on behalf of the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) and data of other—international and Greek—research. In the second part, the most recent dominant tendencies of domestic travels are pointed out and an examination of those in particular related with travels to special destinations is made. In the final part, a presentation of the characteristics of domestic tourism travels affected by Greeks to special destinations related with five special and alternative forms of tourism is made.

Keywords:

• domestic tourism
• tourism development
• alternative forms of tourism
• special forms of tourism
• special interest destinations