Hiking in Greece: An Alternative Tourism Form Just Waiting to be Developed

Mainalon Trail.

Hiking tourism as a factor of tourism development in Greece was presented to Greek tourism professionals and travel agents from abroad, on the sidelines of the Nostos Expo 2016, Greece’s first alternative tourism exhibition, held recently in Nafpaktos.

Alpha Marketing Managing Director Tasos Gousios.

“Hiking or walking tourism is a low cost activity, it can take place anywhere and can be combined with an array of activities”, according to a study conducted by the University of Thessaly and presented by Tasos Gousios, managing director of Alpha Marketing consultant agency.

Gousios presented the main features of this alternative tourism form and focused on its connection with other forms of tourism.

While presenting the study he referred to various Greek destinations that have created the proper infrastructure to welcome tourists in search of hiking and walking trails such as Mainalon, Andros and Sifnos.

Mainalon and Andros are officially certified as Leading Quality Trails. Such certification is considered very important for attracting trekkers from all over the world.

Moreover, Gousios presented the necessary criteria for a destination to receive the international certification for trails/footpaths.

Aiming to motivate representatives of Greek municipalities and tourism professionals to view hiking tourism as an alternative tourism development opportunity, Gousios underlined that the specific tourism form can easily contribute to extending the tourism season as it can take place almost any day of the year under any weather conditions.

According to data presented by the study, hiking tourism appeals particularly to German travellers.

The Nostos Expo 2016 took place October 14-17.