Tourism Business Sector Stance in Front of a Sport Tourism Development: Focusing on Crete

Abstract

Crete has been one of the most favourable tourism destinations of the Mediterranean contributing largely on the local as well as the Greek national income for decades. In the current years of distinct product differentiation, Crete has been re-examining the strategic road to a fruitful future and a secured position in the international tourism market. Amongst proposals promising to redirect the local offer towards a more sustainable as well as competitive tourism product is that of sport tourism due to a diverse physical environment of infinite potential for sport holidays. The focus of the present study is placed on the response of the local tourism industry and its sensitivity towards sport-related tourism products. Local tourism businesses’ acceptability to thematic tourism products remains the most crucial factor for a successful sport tourism development.