Tidal wave phenomenon as a lever of tourist development in Greece-Halkis case

Abstract

Tourist season in Halkis is nowadays limited to the three summer months offering a resort for weekend tourists (Athens-Halkis). Halkis is given the opportunity to improvise and illustrate its cultural and historical elements that constitute her uniqueness by establishing a local development programme that would include alternate tourism forms. This proposal regarding the tourist development of Halkis through tidal phenomena is primarily an alternative tourist development model. It differs from current development standards characterized by inequality, environmental and cultural degradation. This is based on the assumption that proposing an alternative tourism form in Halkis would lead to the initiation and exploitation of factors that are disregarded nowadays, that could ignite the tourist rebirth of this area. The creation of new employment positions and the amelioration of life conditions in this town could prevent the constant escape of the vital work-force to Athens and Piraeus. The success of the tourist development through the tidal phenomenon can be considered either a complete solution or an alternative model. This may be unique from the tourist aspect, as the tidal phenomenon of Euripus could be the attraction pole, for a great number of people because this tourist forms (observation of a unique yet interesting natural phenomenon) is contradictory to luxury. Simultaneously, the Mediterranean nutrition could be co-depicted, by offering the opportunity to the tourist to become more intimate with local products. This would help people understand the importance of Euripus tidal phenomenon for the tourist development of Halkis.

La estación turística en Halkis se limita hoy en día a los tres meses del verano que ofrecen un recurso para los turistas del fin de semana (Atenas-Halkis). Halkis da la oportunidad de improvisar y de ilustrar sus elementos culturales e históricos que constituyen su unicidad estableciendo un programa de desarrollo local que incluiría formas alternativas del turismo. Esta propuesta que trata del desarrollo turístico de Halkis a través del fenómeno de las mareas es principalmente un modelo alternativo de desarrollo del turismo. Es diferente de los estándares de desarrollo en curso caracterizados por la desigualdad, la degradación ambiental y cultural. Esta está basada en la asunción de que proponer una forma de turismo alternativo en Halkis podría conducir a la iniciación y la explotación de recursos que son ignorados en la actualidad, auspiciando el renacimiento turístico del área. La creación de nuevos empleos y la mejora de las condiciones de vida en este pueblo podían prevenir continua fuga de personal esencial a Atenas y a El Pireo. El éxito del desarrollo turístico por el fenómeno de las mareas puede ser considerado una solución completa o un modelo alternativo.