DRAMATIC CHANGES IN THE CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVING TOURIST DESTINATIONS THE CASE OF PARALIA IN PIERIA.docVIP

MunichPersonalRePEcArchive Dramatic Changes in the Continuously evolving Tourist Destinations: The Case of Paralia in Pieria GeorgeZografosandAlexDe?ner UniversityofThessaly,UniversityofThessaly 18. February2009 Onlineathttp://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/25294/ MPRAPaperNo. 25294,posted23. September201013:31UTC  TOURISMOS: AN INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF TOURISM Volume 4, Number 2, Autumn 2009, pp. 129-147 DRAMATIC CHANGES IN THE CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVING TOURIST DESTINATIONS: THE CASE OF PARALIA IN PIERIA George Zografos1 University of Thessaly Alex Deffner University of Thessaly This paper examines the evolution of ‘Paralia’ as a key mass tourism destination in northern Greece. The paper analyses the changes which are brought to a destination as a result of its main markets’ current socio-economic situation. Thus, it draws conclusions about the vulnerability of destinations, and how trends in key markets can move destinations to the various stages of the so-called Destination’s Life Cycle. The primary data are derived from a questionnaire survey addressed to citizens. The results of the survey seem to verify previous analyses about the area. Local people tend to compromise with the current situation. At the end, courses of action are suggested which could help the destination to move away from insecurity and stagnation. Proposals based on the outline of the destination’s strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats include the organisation of special events throughout the year and incentives for the attraction of residents from neighbouring urban centres. Keywords: Mass tourism destinations, destination’s life cycle, Katerini- northern Greece, Balkan tourists INTRODUCTION Greece’s position on the edge of the Balkan Peninsula ensures that, due to their proximity, Balkan countries can constitute Greece’s main tourism markets. Accessib