CARRYING CAPACITY ASSESSMENT OF THE SOUTH AEGEAN REGION, GREECE

Since the early 1950’s Greece has been a top travel destination providing high-quality tourism services. This was amplified by the diverse landscape, extended sandy beaches, numerous archaeological sites, people’s mentality, safety, and adequate infrastructure. In particular, the south Aegean Archipelago attracts more than six million (6,000,000) visitors annually, approximately 27% of tourist arrivals in Greece. The Carrying Capacity Assessment of the South Aegean Region aims to improve the already high standards of the offered tourist services. The relevant socio, economic and physical data were analyzed to highlight the adverse effects of traditional and current activities and increase tourism attractiveness by offering alternative products, such as hiking, biking, diving, fishing tourism, archaeological tourism, medical tourism and excursions in the remarkable landscapes. Furthermore, the outcomes of the application of the carrying capacity indicators provide specialized solutions to control the over-tourism impact, mitigate the natural environmental degradation, and, finally, establish a roadmap for sustainable development of the Region. The required data (socio, economic and physical) was analyzed according to the PAP/RAC as more suitable.