Sustainable Tourism in Crete

This concept of linking visitors with culture, nature and the environment in a harmonious way is not a new idea, but one that is now viewed on a global scale.  Long-term, successful community involvement has preserved many popular rural tourist destinations such as the wine regions of Europe and the United States.  Many rural communities have acted on instinct, rather than governmental directives, and usually with enough individual investment to achieve results.  

Foreign visitors are accustomed to or expect familiar settings which in no way resemble the landscape or lifestyle of their host-country.  Local communities relying on tourism are faced with these issues -- while attempting to maintain their own cultural heritage and a clean living environment.  Over-commercialization can wipe out an entire community in a few "trendy" years, leaving a wasteland of burger joints and water parks behind.

A holiday spent exploring the countryside and quaint villages, learning about the production of local cuisine and crafts can be a refreshing and rewarding break from city life.  The informed traveler can also be directly contributing to the sustainable tourism effort by supporting the communities working to preserve their local traditions.

Crete has much to offer in sustainable tourism -- from one-day visits to ancient sites or olive oil factories, traditional villages and folklore museums to week-long nature and adventure tours, and "Green Globe" hotels operating on an ecologically-friendly basis complete with organic gardens and bird sanctuaries.  Some programs are co-financed by the European Union's "LEADER Initiative" program for the development of disadvantaged rural areas of the EU, launched in 1991.

Eligible areas of LEADER consist of those lagging behind in development, fragile rural areas, and areas with very low population density.  Local groups submit  proposals to the national/regional authorities which are responsible for the implementation of LEADER and the selection of projects (the relevant Hellenic Ministries in this case).  Beneficiaries, referred to as "local action groups" are a combination of public and private partners.  It is inevitable that the amount of worthy applicants exceeds the allotted funding for this initiative.  However, there are a number of related developmental, environmental and cultural initiatives such as Habitat II, LIFE, SAVE, THERMIE, and Natura 2000.

The Greek branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is studying the relationship between tourism and protected areas, conducting ecotourism pilot projects and offering training programs and printed guidelines to local communities. Eleni Svoronou, WWF Coordinator of Ecotourism Projects, cautions that prior planning and certification systems are necessary before the promotion of ecotourism can begin. "Programs should have a definite, positive affect to both the physical and social environment," she said.  The study of ecotourism was assigned to WWF-Greece by the Greek Tourism Organization (GTO). 

During the peak tourist season in Crete, electricity and water sources are tapped beyond limits.  As Crete is suffering from increasing drought conditions while balancing agriculture with tourism as main sources of income, management of her resources is of paramount importance.  Renewable energy sources (RES) are the sustainable key -- such as solar energy and wind energy alternatives.  Crete currently leads all regions in Greece at 10% in RES electricity generation. 

Hellas-Greenpeace is studying the impact of climate change and promoting RES solutions.  Machi Siderdou, Coordinator of their Climate Change Program, said that Crete has a vast RES potential which has not been exploited, and that "Crete could be a model for renewable energy use."  Greece is under obligation to reduce it's dependence on climate-changing fossil fuels under the Kyoto Treaty protocol.  The target set by the EU is to cover 20.1% of its electricity needs through such "gentle" forms of energy by 2010.

During a state RES conference this May, Deputy Public Works and Environment Minister Ilias Efthymiopoulos said that a comprehensive policy to reduce emissions blamed for the "Greenhouse Effect" has not been developed in Greece.  He cited opposition by local communities of RES units such as windmills and hydroelectric dams as the greatest obstacle in employing such technology.  In fact, environmentalists say a potentially damaging oil generation plant is currently under construction in Eastern Crete where wind energy could have been the ideal "clean" alternative.  Also, waste recycling measures and the promotion and usage of biodegradable products are far from adequate and require urgent implementation -- mass tourism exacerbates the problem. 

According to Nikos Charalambides, of Greenpeace's GMO Campaign, Crete could also be a model for organic farming practices and the natural alternative to GM engineering, due to her geographic location and climate conditions.  Greenpeace is collaborating with farming communities to promote organic farming alternatives, the practice of which is comparatively low in Greece, but steadily rising.

These are just a few examples of current sustainable tourism operations in Crete.

The Sitia Development Organization's Office of Rural Tourism organizes a wide selection of nature and cultural programs with a significant amount of information on the history of the area, activities and accommodations.  Week-long or single day excursions incorporate archeology, culture, agriculture, and leisure and outdoor adventure activities, with accommodation in small, family-run establishments.  One collaborator in the program offering tours of its' production site is the Agricultural Cooperative of Sitia, which was awarded First Prize in May 2001 at the International Olive Oil Competition organized by the International Olive Oil Council.  Participants were producers from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia. 

Nikos Petrakis, President and Executive Manager of Sitia's Development Organization has been involved in agrotourism since 1989, during the European Program LEDA, which preceded the current LEADER initiative.  He said the majority of their programs are offered to visitors from France, Germany, Italy, England and, more recently from Poland.  "Our activities are in partnership with many local companies, creating jobs and raising the income of many people, which helps in the area's development.  We think that the environment is the most important factor for agrotourism.  We materialize many projects for the protection of the environment and offer naturalistic and cultural courses in Sitia's prefecture," he said.  They have also developed programs to promote the sale of local agricultural products.  Future plans are to expand their program offerings, and cooperate with other development companies and tourist agencies both locally and abroad.

The Development Agency of Heraklion S.A. (formerly known as the Organization for the Development of Temenos and Pediada founded in 1989 by the Municipality of Archanes and area communities), acts as a liaison between collaborating local enterprises and visitors in their sustainable tourism programs.  They supply information on approved rural lodgings, museums, food and wine exhibitions, and outdoor adventure activities. The Agency supports a broad range of small businesses and programs from a single sausage producer to architectural restoration to training programs for residents.  One collaborator is another award-winning wine and olive oil producer, the Agricultural Cooperative of Peza, which offers tours of their wine and olive oil production site with food and wine tastings, seminars and videos on the history of the area and production methods in several different languages.

Evelynne Bakinta, Peza Union Communications Manager, said that their museum hosts 25,000 visitors annually.  Students and tourists come from many different countries and backgrounds, but the exhibition center is only a small part of a big organization. Peza plays a major role in the conservation of the local grape varieties and is a distributor of other traditional Cretan products (honey, sultanas, herbs, etc.).  She said not many people are occupied with agrotouristic activities to date, but the number of rural lodgings is increasing, and the island has the potential of becoming a favorite agrotourism destination throughout the year.  One will be able to watch olive harvesting from November till February, vintage activities from August till October, sheep shearing in May and June, cattle delivery from August to October, cheese-making from November to April.  There are many possibilities.

Avdou Villas, located in the village of the same name at the base of the Lassithi plateau, offers a "holistic retreat" style of accommodation in their cozy, yet modern studios surrounded by an organic farm with a traditional taverna serving their home-grown produce.  They offer training in organic farming and production of olive oil and raki, have spa-type facilities for massage, homeopathy, acupuncture, etc., and coordinate outdoor adventures with local companies (Wild Nature and The International Center of Natural Activities) such as paragliding, horseback riding, hiking and rope climbing.  Their concept addresses the needs of guests who may not be able to get away from it all -- by offering Satellite TV, fax and internet communications.  Perfect for Bill Gates.

Owners Manolis Chalkiadakis and his wife Thalia Fanouraki live on the property,  happy to escape their urban life in Iraklio. Manolis is a vegetarian and has maintained his certified organic farm for the past nine years.  He said "we don't need to use damaging chemicals -- this land does not belong to us, it belongs to our children."  They decided to open a small, alternative hotel and live on the premises to be in touch with guests.  "Rest, heal and maybe change" is their motto.  "People must leave big cities and come to a place without stress...we can do a lot of things here.  A couple from California were always in the garden or in the mountains looking for horta -- they loved it here.  We want people to feel like they are in their own home." 

Green Globe is one of several international organizations promoting environmentally responsible tourism within the travel industry.  Pure Crete is a tour operator and founding member, which has been operating in Western Crete since 1989.  They offer U.K.-to-Crete travel packages with accommodation in locally-owned traditional village houses and farms.  They help local owners to restore village properties, and work with the community to protect the environment, which in turn benefits the local economy.  They also organize birdwatching, wildflower, and archeological interest groups and sponsor recycling, solar energy, the conservation of the bearded vulture, and Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. 

Major tour operators like TUI of Germany, Thompson's of the U.K. have designed environmentally-friendly rating and auditing systems for their destinations.  There are a few hotel groups operating in an environmentally-friendly fashion in Crete, winning awards for clean beaches, maintaining their own organic gardens and setting up innovative energy-recycling systems, such as Grecotel, Capsis Beach Hotel in Agia Pelagia and the Maris Hotel Group.  However, many large hotel complexes cannot avoid their negative impact on the environment by the sheer presence of their complexes within rural areas and depletion of natural resources.  They also have no control over the non-sustainable practices of the local community or area businesses (refuse disposal, pesticide usage, etc.).  Even sporting activities such as water or jet skiing directly affect the livelihood of the small-scale fishermen, not to mention endangering the lives of swimmers.

Since 1981, the Grecotel group has been involved in a wide range of sustainable projects and have won numerous awards for their innovative programs. Their in-house agronomist, Kostas Bouyouris, has developed self-sufficient organic farming and eco-friendly landscaping programs on the hotel properties and also commissioned local farmers to grow organic produce. They now offer 100% organic vegetables in all nine of their hotels in Crete. As a leading hotel, they have used their influence to organize and sponsor community conservation training programs, to demand eco-friendly packaging from their food and beverage suppliers -- sharing information of their model programs in environmentally-responsible development.

Marketing Communications Manager, Judy Smith-Spala, said their programs are not a marketing ploy, but are intended to protect the health of their guests and the integrity of their properties. "We are not just selling hotel accommodation -- if the destination is going down hill due to over-development and environmental damage then, regardless of the high quality of hotels, guests will simply go elsewhere. Tourists are more demanding and their holiday expectations are higher.  There will be 'natural wastage' of accommodation units that no longer comply with these standards - the tour operators will choose the hotels/apartments that offer the better facilities and services."  As for Grecotel's policy on recycling, Ms. Smith-Spala said, "whilst there are some recycling projects in the major cities and mainland of Greece, there is virtually no infrastructure on the islands where the majority of tourism is found.  Hence, the solution we found is that 'if you can't recycle or return it - don't buy it.'  For example, we no longer purchase drinks in aluminum cans - our suppliers are required to supply returnable bottles or barrels. As there is no battery recycling or safe disposal in Greece, we collect batteries in our hotels and send them back, through our tour operators, to other European countries where they can be recycled."

To date, there are no specific national strategies or EU directives pertaining to sustainable tourism in Greece  -- and no management body to oversee current or proposed programs.  Environmental and local groups have stressed the urgency of implementing an action plan -- not to maintain annual visitor quotas, but to protect the island from rapid, irreparable damage.  Areas which have already fallen victim to over-development risk the very reason for initial tourist attraction -- unique, quiet, clean destinations.  Visitors are moving away from these areas, followed by the very same entrepreneurs seeking to supply (or create) demand for potentially damaging forms of entertainment.  Conservationists are working to encourage and train local entrepreneurs to implement long-term, viable programs, inform visitors of the importance of conservation practices, and advise tour operators to regulate the flow of traffic of "simply cheap, beach holidays" to pre-existing sites -- reserving protected natural areas for those who understand their responsibilities.  The underlying message is that Crete's inhabitants, whether permanent or temporary, must play an active role in preserving her rich cultural history and natural beauty.

  Nikki Rose

[ HOME ] [ ARTICLES ] [ FEEDBACK ] [ SEARCH ] [ SUBSCRIBE ] [ LINKS ] [ DOWNLOADS ] [ ADVERTISE ] [ DIGITAL EDITION ] [ AMAZON.com ] [ CRETA SHOP ] [ MAGAZINE EDITIONS ] [ FACEBOOK ] [ GREEK ] [ CRETA SHOP ]

Questions and comments webmaster@stigmes.gr - © Nikos Karellis 2001-11© All rights reserved