ABSTRACT
This study empirically investigates the interrelationships between tourism, energy, environment and economic growth in Greece over the period 1989–2018. The results reveal that there is a positive long-run relationship between tourism, investment, energy consumption, environmental pollution and economic growth. Tourism significantly stimulates economic growth in Greece. In addition, tourism has a favourable but not substantial effect on energy consumption and carbon emissions, while energy consumption and economic growth increase environmental pollution. The challenge for policymakers in Greece is to further support the tourism industry and to design and develop policies that aim to coordinate more efficiently tourism, energy, environment and economy, by keeping a sustainable and long-term economic growth path.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1. Data on energy consumption for the years 2017 and 2018 were taken from Greek Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO). For tourism data for the years 2017 and 2018 were taken from Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).
2. The results of the unit root tests are available upon request.
3. The results of VECM are available upon request.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Panagiotis Pegkas
Panagiotis Pegkas studied Economics at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Upon the completion of his bachelor degree, he joined the MSc in Applied Economics and Finance at the same University and next he received his PhD in Economics from the School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics of Harokopio University of Athens. He currently works as Adjunct Professor at the University of Thessaly.