Η ανταγωνιστικότητα του τουριστικού τομέα σε σχέση με άλλες μεσογειακές χώρες

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the competitiveness of the tourism sector in Greece compared to other Mediterranean countries. The qualitative research method was used through interviews with three officials of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Finance. The research found that the concept of competitiveness in tourism is related to the experience gained by visitors from a tourist destination, based on the quality of services provided, infrastructure, but also the way of operation of all tourism and non-tourism companies involved, as well as and government policy. The most basic criterion used to measure and evaluate the competitiveness of the Greek tourism sector is the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, of the World Economic Forum (WEF), along with other quantitative and qualitative criteria. Regarding Greece, it was found that it is highly rated in private infrastructure, natural environment, culture and history, accommodation service, hospitality and overall human capital / potential. However, it is rated low in public infrastructure, product diversification in particular to attract high-income tourists, taxation that affects price competitiveness, shopping, activities, and large-scale investment. Taxation, seasonality, the model of mass tourism, the lack of central planning, organization, planning and methodology, transport infrastructure, are factors that reduce the competitiveness of Greek tourism. Therefore, there is a need to redesign the tourism model and create a single, coherent tourism policy, especially in the context of the existing pandemic that has contributed to the emergence of weaknesses and problems in the Greek tourism sector.