Summer vacations mean wonderful memories and the best stories we share over and over again. Being careless and relaxed, we set ourselves free from the routine of our everyday lives, so as to live new experiences and to dedicate quality time to our loved ones and more importantly to ourselves.
The Romans were the first to enjoy what we now call a “journey of pleasure”. In contrast to the few weeks we manage to escape in modern times, the rich Romans travelled for an impressive period of two years! Moreover, in the diaries of the travellers from antiquity or past centuries we learn about places and people, as well as their experiences.
Cultural Tourism
Over the centuries, this practice has taken different forms, evolved and established in almost all cultures all over the world, creating an entire industry: Tourism. In turn, Tourism consists of many different categories, starting from the common Leisure Tourism, there are Religious, Ecotourism, Sports, etc. and of course Cultural Tourism.
Cultural Tourism as a form of tourism concerns people who consciously choose to visit a place, based on its cultural wealth.
The evolution of Tourism in Greece
Greece has many reasons to be a competitive Cultural Tourist destination. It’s not just history, archeological sites and museums or even more events, festivals, theatre and contemporary creation. “Culture” is the landscapes and the way people welcome you, the food and drink, the treats, the music, in other words, all those elements, tangibles and intangibles, that will enrich the experience of a trip. The trip as an experience, which is not a “can”, but something unique and very personal, will create a visitor, who will return to the same destination in the future.
However, in the ‘60s-’90s Greece did not utilise its cultural assets and chose Mass Tourism, with large hotel units and standard tourist products. But even in this way, the development of the country’s Tourism industry becomes apparent: in 1970s, tourist arrivals in Greece exceeded 1.6 million (+302.87% compared to 1960s) and in 1980s 5.2 m. (+227.56%, compared to 1970s), before reaching 8.87 m. in 1990s. This of course is not observed only in Greece, in Europe as a whole there is a huge increase, over 1,500%, between 1950s and 1990s.
In the ‘90s, we realised that Mass Tourism, based exclusively on the Sun and the Sea model, is not sustainable for the country and a transformation of Tourism with modern practices begins. Emphasis is placed on the development of new markets, such as hiking, sailing and of course Cultural Tourism. As a result, every year since then (except this year …) we have hit one record after another. Last year closed with 33 m. visitors, while just 5-6 years ago we admired the number of 20 m. visitors.
Summer 2020
2020 is a special year! Let us find the feeling of the vacations in what is unique and personal, that is, in the beautiful stories and in the quality time with our loved ones. Wherever we are, security and attention are required.
Our team wishes you to enjoy Summer Vacations!
But until September, we will not get lost, because on our social media we will share moments and stories from Cultural Destinations. Follow us!
Photos by Chris Galbraith and Oliver Sjöström on Unsplash
