経済危機下にも好調なエーゲ海・クレタ島における観光力の要因とエコツーリズムの展開 : トラディショナル・セトゥルメンツとクレタ式食文化の観光資源化

抄録

In May 2012 Greece was confronted with the most difficult situation in these years, so to speak, after the First General Election in which any Political Party was not able to establish new Government. And even if one month later fortunately at last the coalition Government composed by three centrist parties was established in Second Election, unfortunately such an unstable image of this country affected almost all of the Greek Inbound Tourism sectors. The number of inbound tourists from foreign countries decreased generally in various Greek destinations. However, as long as I surveyed the statistics of Greek inbound tourism for recent years, regarding the number of international arrival, including the period Jan.-Jul. 2012, I was so surprised that some limited destinations secure stably larger number of foreign visitors. They were three islands of Aegean Sea, specifically Crete, Santorini and Myconos. The purpose of this research is to make an investigation into major factors of their good condition for international tourism. Actually I paid attention to the development of Eco-tourism facilities in agricultural districts, particularly in center and western area of Crete island. Besides, I took notice of the cities of Byzantine-Venetian-Ottoman Empire periods (13-19 Centuries), Chania and Retymnon, specifically the Traditional Settlements which are renovated with modern & marvelous atmosphere and diverted to some other purpose, for example to attractive accommodations, cafe, restaurants, souvenir shops etc. In addition to that, in these cities visitors are charmed to purchase the rural, agricultural and Natural Cretan products, and furthermore they are able to be satisfied in so healthy Cretan gastronomy which is regarded as an origin of 'Mediterranean Diet" (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage). The good conditions for inbound tourism in Crete, in spite of Greek Economic Crisis, are caused by above factors.