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Paths of Greece: Design and Implementation of Walking and Bicycle Trail Networks
Paths of Greece: Design and Implementation of Walking and Bicycle Trail Networks
www.pathsofgreece.com
Introduction
The situation today and necessary steps towards quality tourism development Greece is a country which relies heavily on its tourism sector. The last decades, however, have seen tourist agencies and enterprises focusing their advertising efforts on the hot, short summer season, promoting low-cost, cheap quality services in exchange for quick profits. Especially in the last years, growing international competition has proven that this model is not only outdated but also has its environmental and economic cost. It is steadily becoming clear than in order to remain competitive, the Greek tourism industry must rethink its strategy: by placing priorities in the name of service quality, maintenance and conservation of our natural and historical wealth. The implementation of a comprehensive network of walking and cycling trails is an important step in the
right direction, opening doors towards alternative, sustainable forms of tourism which both respect and nurture our natural, historical and social assets. And all that at the lowest imaginable cost! The implementation of such a trail network achieves a threefold aim:
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Economic development: growing numbers of visitors who willingly pay more money for higher quality services
Economic development: growing numbers of visitors who willingly pay more money for higher quality services Environmental protection: The paths help to enhance local natural biodiversity by limiting negative human impact Social development: educational character of trail implementation by creating an understanding for the value of natural resources and their management
Environmental protection: The paths help to enhance local natural biodiversity by limiting negative human impact
Social development: educational character of trail implementation by creating an understanding for the value of natural resources and their management
A comprehensive trail network offers solutions to all of the above and can thus be considered a qualitative and sustainable touristic investment. The main aim of this project is to address a broader audience, also attracting visitors who are not familiar with these types of activities. First and foremost, the individual routes should be selected carefully within a trail network, taking care to combine unique landscapes with local historically and culturally interesting attractions. Also, while leading from one point of interest to the other, the trails should retain an informational and illustrative character.
What can an integrated walking and cycling trail network offer to an area?
The installation of an integrated network of walking and cycling trails provides only positive effects for local communities. The benefits to be won include: a sustainable extension of the tourist season, a large influx in revenue through seasonally returning tourists, advertising and presentation of local natural and historical wealth, environmental education, and promotion of local products and culture.
Environmental education/awareness
Of course it must be noted that attracting large crowd of visitors simultaneously can have the exact reverse effect on this type of traveler, who, in seeking out the privacy of nature, will feel bothered by the masses. Instead, by allowing each visitor to discover the natural beauty of a location individually, a medium-scale but steady (and thus sustainable) flow of tourism can be secured for each site.
Additionally, walking tourism is enjoying an increasing popularity among young vacationers, especially in combination with other sport activities such as mountain bike, climbing, canyoning, caving, sea kayak and water sports. Although younger tourists may not spend such large amounts in one stay, they nonetheless constitute a fast-growing percentage of the alternative tourism movement and remain an important key in advertising and word-to-mouth publicity, especially among peer groups.
4) Environmental Education
Promoting an applied environmental approach to school education effectively bridges the gap between classroom learning and understanding the outdoor world. Students will greatly benefit from an organised handson approach that is framed by the educational fields of biology, history, and geology. In the long-term, this programme aims to create an awareness among local societies for the protection of nature, as well as its importance for their natural and cultural heritage.
The website is the key element towards the promotion of the path network. Here all relevant available information can be found regarding the network, from path descriptions, route maps, GPS data, as well as updates and announcements about recent developments and activities (signage projects, guided tours, exhibitions, etc.). The website is linked to the official Facebook Page, which constitutes the quickest information portal for people to learn about the various path networks. Additionally, follow us on Twitter to receive the very latest updates!
2) Informational brochure
The creation of an informational brochure containing all relevant information about the network is a crucial step in path promotion, including local routes, maps and general description about the network. This leaflet can be distributed in tourism agencies and cultural institutions and will help to inform a broad mass of tourists and touristic enterprises about the path network concept. At the first stage it is highly important for the leaflet to circulate free of charge.
3) Informational panels
Installing information panels at public access points (ports, squares, crossroads etc.) displaying the trail network with an accompanying area map will further publicise the network and help tourists and passerbys for orientation.
The cost for a walking and cycling path network range from 500 to 1000/km
In short, a network package includes route recording (mapping), design, trail clearance and maintenance, signposting with directional markers and information panels, the creation of an informational brochure and comprehensive website design, as well as handling of touristic marketing and promotion. At first stage, a completely newly-implemented network may be expected to exceed the initial cost calculation of 1,000/kilometer, due to the necessity of frequent maintenance and physical labor such as trail planning, clearing and signposting. Implementing a network to an already-existing, cleaned though perhaps imperfectly signposted trails will bear significantly lower costs and can fall as low as 500/kilometer. It should be noted that as a general rule, the more mileage a path network covers, the lower the price per kilometer.
What we offer
Comprehensive study of the development of walking and cycling path network GPS-tracking Clearing, maintenance and repairs Signposting (path markers and information panels) Creation of a map Advice on setting up sponsors/sponsorships
Promotion and advertisement of the path network Hiking trails brand planning Website development Creation of informational brochure Representation at exhibitions for ecotourism Advice for establishing ties/connections with touristic enterprises in Greece and abroad Advice for setting up environmental education programmes
Who we are
Fivos Tsaravopoulos
Fivos Tsaravopoulos holds two Master titles in European Studies and Environmental Management. Beside his native language Greek, he is fluent in English and French. He has been actively involved with the implementation of walking and cycling trails across all of Greece since 2010. He has developed or helped with the implementation of several path networks on Skyros, Spetses, Marathonas, Sifnos, Kythera, Patmos, Karpathos, Athens (Ymittos) and Drama. He has collaborated with the Hellenic Society for Environment and Culture and the Kytherian Foundation for Culture and Development, as well as other private institutes. He has been a board member of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature. In his free time, he is a passionate climber, hiker and photographer.
Michalis Antypas
Michalis is specialised in Geografical Information Systems (G.I.S.). He speaks Greek, English and Italian. He has worked for several companies in the filed of production of geographical information related software as well as in map creation. Michalis has a rich volunteering carrier (Protection of Sea Turtles Association, volunteer fire brigades, Doctors of the World) and he worked for WWF Greece as a field researcher. He is a fervent cyclist, and he loves mountairneering and scuba diving.
Contact
www.pathsofgreece.gr
(+30) 69.37.66.83.38 info@pathsofgreece.gr /pathsofgreece