Project Title Adaptability of SMEs in Tourism and Local Products in Epirus Commercializing of Tourism Katerina Filippou Katerina Filippou BIC of Epirus

Project TitleProject TitleAdaptability of SMEs Adaptability of SMEs

in Tourism and Local Products in Epirusin Tourism and Local Products in Epirus

Commercializing of Tourism

Katerina FilippouKaterina FilippouBIC of EpirusBIC of Epirus

ZvolenZvolen, , 12 June12 June 2007 2007


Aim of this project is the Tourism Industry Aim of this project is the Tourism Industry

presentation, the methods of management presentation, the methods of management

– – Promotion Channels, Quality controls Promotion Channels, Quality controls

tools, Environmental issues based on its tools, Environmental issues based on its

sustainable development. sustainable development.


Participating countries are: Participating countries are: Spain Spain ((ExtremaduraExtremadura)) ΙΙtalytaly ( (CampaniaCampania)) SlovakiaSlovakia (Ζ (Ζvolenvolen)) GreeceGreece ( (EpirusEpirus))

Region of EpirusRegion of Epirus

Epirus is comprised by four Epirus is comprised by four Prefectures, Prefectures,

these are: these are: Prefecture of IoanninaPrefecture of Ioannina Prefecture of ArtaPrefecture of Arta Prefecture of Preveza and Prefecture of Preveza and Prefecture of ThesprotiaPrefecture of Thesprotia

The capital of the Region is The capital of the Region is

the city of Ioannina. the city of Ioannina.


Epirus total land area is 9.203 km³ Epirus total land area is 9.203 km³ covering 6.7% of the country’s area. covering 6.7% of the country’s area.

It’s geomorphology is characterized by the It’s geomorphology is characterized by the mountainous terrain and the plentitude of mountainous terrain and the plentitude of water resources. This results to a rich water resources. This results to a rich natural environment, with plenty of forests, natural environment, with plenty of forests, unique flora and fauna and rare natural unique flora and fauna and rare natural beauty. beauty.


EconomyEconomy A percentage by 4.5% of the Greek rural production A percentage by 4.5% of the Greek rural production

occurs in Epirus, an amount of 13% regarding the Greek occurs in Epirus, an amount of 13% regarding the Greek manufacture and 2.6% for the Greek service sector. manufacture and 2.6% for the Greek service sector. Epirus GDP Per Capita reach the amount of 9.977 € Epirus GDP Per Capita reach the amount of 9.977 € which occurs to 84% average for Greece. As far as the which occurs to 84% average for Greece. As far as the EU patterns concern, this is translated to 67% of the EU EU patterns concern, this is translated to 67% of the EU average. Due to these data, Epirus is placed among the average. Due to these data, Epirus is placed among the poorest EUpoorest EU regions, together with Western Greece, regions, together with Western Greece, Peloponnesus, Portuguese Azores, Spanish Peloponnesus, Portuguese Azores, Spanish Extremadure and overseas areas of France. Extremadure and overseas areas of France.


EmploymentEmployment Epirus unemployment rates are reduced Epirus unemployment rates are reduced

to 3 units (10.6% of the workforce). to 3 units (10.6% of the workforce). According to Eurostat, the workforce of According to Eurostat, the workforce of Epirus is expected to increase up to 8.6% Epirus is expected to increase up to 8.6% during 2000 – 2010.during 2000 – 2010.


Common characteristics of all regions are: Common characteristics of all regions are: The dynamic natural and cultural The dynamic natural and cultural

environment, environment, The effective resources usage (natural, The effective resources usage (natural,

human, financial),human, financial), Diversification in Tourism product and Diversification in Tourism product and

alternative types of tourism offer,alternative types of tourism offer, Targeting to sustainable development. Targeting to sustainable development.


As well asAs well as:: Seasonality of the tourism sector, Seasonality of the tourism sector, Infrastructure of high quality services (hotels, Infrastructure of high quality services (hotels,

restaurants, highways, airports, ports, etc),restaurants, highways, airports, ports, etc), The effective use of promotion methods and The effective use of promotion methods and

advertising apart usual onesadvertising apart usual ones ( (Exhibitions, Exhibitions, spots, etcspots, etc)),,

The application of international Quality The application of international Quality patterns. patterns.


Given the natural terrain of all 4 regions - mainly Given the natural terrain of all 4 regions - mainly mountainous 2 of which do not provide close contact to mountainous 2 of which do not provide close contact to the sea – we note that they have managed to develop: the sea – we note that they have managed to develop: Rural TourismRural Tourism, , Thematic Tourism, such asThematic Tourism, such as: :

- - Adventure & SportsAdventure & Sports- - ReligiousReligious - - HealthHealth - - CulturalCultural - - GastronomyGastronomy


All 4 regions service tourists by using main All 4 regions service tourists by using main

transport means such astransport means such as:: Domestic Airline companies, Domestic Airline companies, Modern highways,Modern highways, Railways – apart Epirus, Railways – apart Epirus, By sea – apart regions of Slovakia and By sea – apart regions of Slovakia and

Spain. Spain.


We should note that the 4 regions present We should note that the 4 regions present

a dynamic development route related to a dynamic development route related to

infrastructure as well as strong cooperation infrastructure as well as strong cooperation

schemes with others such as Tour schemes with others such as Tour

Operators, large hotel complexes, etc.Operators, large hotel complexes, etc.


The main issues to be analyzed within this guide The main issues to be analyzed within this guide

are: are: PromotionPromotion Methods for tourism Methods for tourism Environment Environment and Tourismand Tourism Quality Quality & & Safety Safety in Tourismin Tourism Local ProductsLocal Products Success Stories Success Stories in Tourismin Tourism and and Forecasts Forecasts


Success Stories for each Region: Success Stories for each Region:

Extremadura Extremadura ((SpainSpain))the most interesting success story refers to an initiative the most interesting success story refers to an initiative of creating the so called ‘Green Roads’ which targets to of creating the so called ‘Green Roads’ which targets to the best usage of old – out of order railway lines. the best usage of old – out of order railway lines. In a In a country of country of 7.0007.000 klm klm. . Of railway lines the necessity of Of railway lines the necessity of environmental management of surrounding areas was environmental management of surrounding areas was on the scene. The Green Roads offer the ability to on the scene. The Green Roads offer the ability to visitors, to taste several activities and enjoy the natural visitors, to taste several activities and enjoy the natural environment. environment.


BanskobystrickyBanskobystricky (Slovakia (Slovakia):):1. 1. The transformation of a small traditional village in a The transformation of a small traditional village in a contemporary tourist attraction during the winter and summer, contemporary tourist attraction during the winter and summer, resulted a major success story for Slovakia. Visitors enjoy the resulted a major success story for Slovakia. Visitors enjoy the outstanding environment, do ski during the winter and trekking outstanding environment, do ski during the winter and trekking during the summer as well as a number of other activities in the during the summer as well as a number of other activities in the area. An area of high unemployment managed to overcome by area. An area of high unemployment managed to overcome by creating a center for different tourism activities. With the use of creating a center for different tourism activities. With the use of new technologies, many visitors today may enjoy business and new technologies, many visitors today may enjoy business and pleasure. pleasure. 2. 2. The creation of a Tourism Guide, awarded in the ‘Tourism The creation of a Tourism Guide, awarded in the ‘Tourism Promotion in Slovakia’ category. Promotion in Slovakia’ category.


CampaniaCampania ((ItalyItaly):):The application of a project in 15 The application of a project in 15 Municipalities refer to the promotion of a Municipalities refer to the promotion of a Monastery, one of the oldest in the world, Monastery, one of the oldest in the world, recognized by Unesco, known as recognized by Unesco, known as ‘Certosa di Padula’. This idea resulted to ‘Certosa di Padula’. This idea resulted to the area transformation based on a the area transformation based on a sustainable development and proper use sustainable development and proper use of natural and cultural resources. of natural and cultural resources.


EpirusEpirus ((GreeceGreece):):1.1.The small tourism enterprises clustering took place in Epirus by The small tourism enterprises clustering took place in Epirus by covering a respective geographical range. This cooperation, covering a respective geographical range. This cooperation, offered a new development era in mountainous areas while due to offered a new development era in mountainous areas while due to the use of ICT, these businesses provide e-commerce. the use of ICT, these businesses provide e-commerce.

2. 2. A major effort, during the Innovative Actions under the ERDF A major effort, during the Innovative Actions under the ERDF 2000-2006 2000-2006 implemented in the region by BIC of Epirus, was the implemented in the region by BIC of Epirus, was the Business Angels and Business Angels and & & Matching Events meetings among Matching Events meetings among entrepreneurs and investors from Greece and abroad. This effort entrepreneurs and investors from Greece and abroad. This effort still continues while 2 cases follow their own development route still continues while 2 cases follow their own development route through this initiative. through this initiative.


Tourism and the FutureTourism and the Future

Sustainable development, long term Sustainable development, long term planning related to the rescue of Rural planning related to the rescue of Rural sector and enhancing of alternative types sector and enhancing of alternative types of tourism – always in relation to the of tourism – always in relation to the natural environment an culture – consist natural environment an culture – consist main directions for all 4 regions. main directions for all 4 regions.


This can be succeeded by using correct This can be succeeded by using correct planning methods, polices application planning methods, polices application and capital provision coming not only and capital provision coming not only from EC funding but mainly through from EC funding but mainly through private initiatives. private initiatives.

The necessity of Training tools is also The necessity of Training tools is also noted here. noted here.


Thank you

Documents

Project Title Adaptability of SMEs in Tourism and Local Products in Epirus Commercializing of Tourism Katerina Filippou Katerina Filippou BIC of Epirus