Η συμμετοχική συνεργασία των πολιτικών οργάνων, του ανθρώπινου δυναμικού της Τοπικής Αυτοδιοίκησης και της τοπικής κοινωνίας, προς επίτευξη Βιώσιμης ανάπτυξης αγροτουρισμού – οικοτουρισμού στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της λίμνης Κάρλας
Date Issued
March 13, 2024
Type
Διδακτορική Διατριβή
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This PhD thesis concerns the support of decision-making at the level of administration and management (Local Government Organizations, Central Government, Public Agencies) of the countryside, natural resources and human resources, as a case study, in the evaluation of the potential for the redevelopment of part of the rural activities, around the ecosystem of Lake Karla, in agrotourism - ecotourism.
Given that, agritourism is an important and valuable tool for sustainable development in many rural areas and contributes positively to the culture of the local communities that receive visitors, while raising awareness among the communities regarding the cultural and economic value of the landscape and habitats they are undoubtedly seen as a powerful means of diversifying activities in rural areas, providing a sustainable alternative proposal.
At the same time, ecotourism is considered a corresponding development activity, used for conservation strategy and economic development. For this reason, many countries embrace it for sustainable development, since it enables the socio-economic development of the local community by providing it with an alternative and sustainable source of livelihood, covering two (2) main objectives of ecotourism, namely,
• the preservation of the natural environment and
• the well-being of local communities.
Therefore, agritourism - ecotourism is proposed as an alternative solution for the local and regional development of the wider area of Lake Karla, because on the one hand, it helps to reduce underemployment in the agricultural sector, and on the other hand, it contributes to strengthening family income and therefore promotes the socio-economic support and reformation of local rural communities.
The Municipality of Killeler, and in particular the wider area of Lake Karla, was considered as an important development pole of sustainable development that has a significant spatial advantage, in order to play a strategic and multi-level role in the region and to become a factor of a sustainable development, in the triptych, society - economy - environment, for the benefit of local societies and indeed in the direction of agrotourism - ecotourism, as an ideal case study.
The challenge of redesigning the priorities in the rural settlements of the region, is a basic pursuit, so as to promote the harmonization of their areas with the goals of AGENTA 2030, as they are stated, for well-being, personal security, innovation and employment of young people, with activities that are compatible with the natural and man-made environment of the area.
The main purpose of this thesis, which is also its main body, concerns the investigation and evaluation of the opinions of residents and visitors of the area of interest on the possibility of developing agritourism - ecotourism in the wider area and integration of the results at the level of administration and management by local governments, central government and public bodies.
From our extensive research, a total of 507 questionnaires were collected (257 from visitors and 250 from residents) and the statistical processing and analysis of the primary data was carried out, through the statistical package SPSS, 27.0.
Through the research, the SWOT analysis of the area was supported, and current conditions have been recorded, in order to take measures to improve the ecological status, while other important parameters were investigated, such as the role of the local government, collective bodies, civil society, as well as the contribution of environmental education towards achieving sustainable development. Through the quantitative and statistical analysis of the questionnaires we thoroughly examined the following research questions: (a) What is the prevailing (current) situation in the wider area of Lake Karla? (b) What measures are considered necessary to improve (and restore) the ecological condition of the area? (c) Under what conditions, the participatory cooperation of the political bodies, the human resources of the local government and the local society, can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development of agritourism - ecotourism in the region? (d) Can environmental education contribute to solving local environmental issues by educating citizens for active and effective participation in sustainable development? (e) Are there differences in the preferences of both residents and visitors, depending on their gender, age, monthly income and educational level?
The main results and conclusions of the research concern the adoption of forms of alternative tourism such as agritourism - ecotourism, as an important tool for the sustainable development of rural areas and the increase of environmental awareness among residents and visitors. Also, it is necessary to take brave attractive measures and incentives (financial, social, etc.), on the part of the Local Government and the State, with the aim of dealing with the reduction of the rural population and the prevention of our young people moving to the urban centers, while the promotion of Lake Karlas, as a Metropolitan node, for the interconnection of the mountainous arc of Kissavos - Mavrovouni - Pelion, will ecologically and culturally upgrade the wider area. It is a matter of vital importance that informed and sensitized citizens, as well as the collective management bodies of public bodies, participate in the decision-making processes, in order to adequately choose or prioritize the needs and measures to be implemented regarding sustainable development of the region and in particular for the advantages of ecological tourism.
Highlighting the special natural and cultural characteristics of the wider area of the Municipality of Killeler and differentiating it from other areas, utilizing and promoting the term "territorial differentiation", in terms of special characteristics (products, landscapes, culture), is proposed as a dynamic agent of local development policies, to strengthen the "identity" and "brand of our place". The pursuit of the Municipality of Killeler acquiring a dynamic, authentic and collective "brand-name", which reflects its rural identity, but also the everyday life of the local community, as a comparative advantage, compared to other areas, is a new challenge and proposal, but also a broad establishment policy.
In addition, the results of this extensive research provide the basic information to address and create a public debate on sustainable, integrated tourism development in the region, as requested by the national, regional and local objectives for a combined improvement of tourism and nature- of culture, where: Among other proposals, the upgrading, recording and certification of old paths and routes are proposed and ecotourism activities for Karla Lake are highlighted. The proposed eco-routes are selected and designed to support a year-round competitive advantage in the lake area.
The research also shows that the administration and management exercised by the Municipalities and the region of Thessaly is an important driver of extroversion and sustainable development of the Local Government. They are now able to play an essential role, in terms of the networking and cooperation of the OTAs. both at the local, regional and national level, on the one hand for the planning of sustainable and innovative projects, and on the other hand, for the finding and utilization of financial sources, which will concern the service of their development goals and the promotion of the local public interest.
In addition, the results of this thesis constitute a first attempt to spatially identify and evaluate the types of ecosystems that exist in the area, alongside the management and development preferences for establishing and highlighting priorities for the development of ecological and cultural tourism at a local scale, with the final goal is the scientifically documented support of management and political decision-making, at all levels of administration and governance.
From the results also and mainly from the demand of residents and visitors to upgrade the environment of the wider area, the solutions based on nature (Nature Based Solutions - NBS), qualify more than ever (also due to the recent catastrophic floods), as the new model of protection, prevention and restoration, on which decisions will be made and policies for the region will be guided.
With the above thoughts, the participative cooperation of the collective political bodies, the human resources of the local government of the historical Municipality of Killeler and the local society, through a responsible rational administration and management, will effectively contribute to the achievement of Sustainable development of agritourism - ecotourism in the wider area of Lake Karlas, with multiple benefits for our local community, economy and development.
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