Sustainable Development and Tourism in Small Islands: Some Lessons from Greece

Abstract

ABSTRACT Many islands in the world have become tourist destinations on the basis of their natural and cultural heritage. Islands deserve in many respects a special treatment in view of a sensitive balance between environment, economy and society. The dynamics of development/environment opportunities and constraints in the case of small islands are best exemplified in the case of tourism. The growing demand for tourism opens new opportunities, especially for small islands, providing income and employment. At the same time tourism is causing damage to the island environment, culture, monuments, the local population and even the quality of the visitor's experience threatening the basis of tourist development. This paper provides some reference to the dynamics of tourism and environment in the case of the small Greek islands.