Partner introduction COMMUNITY OF DOTSIKO is: A (very) small mountainous municipality (community) in Grevena Prefecture in the Region of Western Macedonia Dotsiko is a ‘moving community’ [minimum population during wither – multiplied during summer] located in the foothills of Pindos mountain range part of the greater mountain complex of Smolikas, which is considered to be one of the most important natural areas in Greece

Region introduction 1 The Community of Dotsiko is the smallest one of the 15 Municipalities and Communities of the Prefecture of Grevena. Surface: 30,3 klm² 85% (25,8 Km²) is mountainous and semi- mountainous Land use: Forests (24,3 klm²) Cultivated area (only 5 klm²) Settlement (1 klm²) Inhabitants: 178 (census 2001) During Winter: 5 During summer: Altitude: 1060 – 1800 m

Region introduction 2 Prefecture of Grevena is in the SW part of Western Macedonia. Its total surface is klm², and is mostly mountainous. National Park of Pindos is located in the Prefecture.

Region introduction 3 Grevena is crossed by Egnatia Odos It is the most under populated Prefecture of Greece (16 inhabitants/klm²) Economy is based in agriculture and cattle- breeding ‘Gate – area’ to South-Eastern Europe Recently, alternative tourism is rising due to its excellent natural environment and improvement of road infrastructure

 Alpine climate  Excellent natural environment  Combination between river and mountainous tourism and sports (Vasilitsa ski resort, River Aliakmon, River Venetikos, River Aoos)  Tourism infrastructure (road axes, hotels, sports, sightseeing, national parks, archaeological sites, events)  Destination for active travelers Main tourist values of the region

Grevena is a rather poor prefecture, facing problems of depopulation and unemployment. Traditionally its economy is based on agriculture and cattle-breeding. Only recently, due to EU enlargement to North and Egnatia Odos creation has turned to alternative tourism. Grevena is characterized by Pindos and its alpine landscape and many new tourist facilities has been established here the recent years.  Insufficient accommodation facilities  low rate of touristic investments  Lack of educated and experienced personnel  Lack of a local identity  Lack of place marketing  Insufficient networking with other touristic areas in Greece and abroad Main difficulties to face up

“STRATEGY PLANNING FOR THE FORMATION OF DOTSIKO COMMUNITY INTO AN ATTRACTIVENESS POLE OF CULTURAL TOURISM ” AIM : Sustainable Development of Dotsiko via strategy’s drawing and policies’ elaboration for the formation of this downgraded and isolated area into a development center and an attractive destination for active travelers, who seek out cultural inheritance, virgin natural environments and local identity, with culture as the main strategic axis. The study area includes the whole of the Community. Case of study title

Case of study title - Natural Pindos Natural Forest. The area of Dotsiko is part of Smolikas One of the most important natural areas in Greece because of its high ecological and aesthetic value. Smolikas has been incorporated into the Network of Areas important for Birds and the NATURA 2000 Network. Valia Kalda (Warm Valley) is also a protected area of Pindos

Case of study title - Historical Dotsiko Stone Bridge. The village is cut in half by the River Dotsikiotis, which is a tributary of Veneticos. The river is spanned by a one arch stone bridge. It was constructed using the principles of Epirus architecture in , with a length of 24m, height of 4m and width of 2,4m, made of stone and slate. It is built in the highest altitude (1.050 m) of all Macedonian bridges and the only one inside a settlement. It has been declared as a Preservable Monument in 1990.

Case of study title - Cultural The church of Agios Athanasios and the church of Agia Paraskevi. The church of St. Athanasios was built in 1865 and has been declared as a Preservable Monument. Ski Resort of Vasilitsa. located only 15 klm far from Dotsiko village is an important tourist centre, attracting visitors around the year. Local Feasts Traditional Architecture

The remarkable cultural elements The almost virgin nature The raising tendency of cultural tourism worldwide Give the opportunity to Dotsiko to become an attractive pole for mild touristic activities based on the beauty of the landscape and agro- tourism. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT MODEL IN DOTSIKO NEEDS: assessment of the area’s potential highlighting its rich cultural assets upgrading the touristic product Increase the flows of visitors. Case of study title: imagining the future

TARGETS the formation of a new profile for the area the development of a new ‘mentality’ within the local population the exploitation of the area’s assets, with respect to the environment and quality population holding and attraction of investments networking with other forms of tourism and other ‘similar’ areas, which can provide the potential for development through cooperation and complementarily networks

Case of study title: imagining the future MEANS Establishment of tourist infrastructure and activities Establishment of manufacturing and commercial enterprises –Biological cattle-breeding –Traditional products –Handicrafts –Local gastronomy Exploitation, preservation and renovation of the houses built with traditional architecture Protection of the declared monuments and preservable areas’ environment Support and promotion of cultural events Training and education to possible entrepreneurs and personnel involved in tourism Inter-local and international networking and cooperation

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Plan of Organisation of Space and Housing of Open Cities for the Community of Dotsiko Operational Business Plan (2007 – 2013) Case of study title: self evaluation

PRODUCTS CREATION AND VALUATION The tourist product potential in Dotsiko is based more on the beauty of the nature and less on the few monuments it has. Moreover, their potential is quite poor to attract and host visitors. The number of visitors is quite smaller than in other Communities due to the lack of infrastructure.

Case of study title: self evaluation PRIVATE SERVICES – NETWORKS There are no accommodation or information facilities in Dotsiko All facilities and tourist activities function in complementarity with the neighbour Communities and the city of Grevena

Case of study title: self evaluation HUMAN RESOURCES Depopulation of the Community Lack of experienced staff in tourism Lack of business spirit in tourism Needs for information kiosk, tourism experts, tourist guides

Case of study title: self evaluation MARKETING, COMMUNICATION AND COMMERCIALIZATION  Dotsiko aims towards regional and national public, due to its unique natural and cultural resources and road infrastructure  Moreover, aims towards alternative tourism development and sustainability of the area.  Dotsiko needs to promote its characteristics and sites and inspire the inhabitants to get involved with cultural tourism  Certain tools, like leaflets, internet and specified campaigns to certain target groups should follow the development actions.

Case of study title: self evaluation SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHSWEAKNESSES  Natural environment  Historical sites  Cultural heritance  Tied bonds of the population that has left Dotsiko with the native land  Depopulation of the area  Lack of accommodation infrastructure  Lack of experienced staff in alternative tourism OPPORTUNITIESTHREATS  Rising of new types of tourism  Exploitation of the unique natural environment of Pindos  Information and know-how exchange with other areas  Environment ’ s degradation  Lack of cooperation with neighbour areas, already developed in tourism  Abandonment of the mountainous area

Case of study title: self evaluation STRATEGY MAIN TARGET SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF DOTSIKO BY TURNING TO ADVANTAGE THE IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE REVEALED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW FORM OF GROWTH IN THIS AREA THROUGH CULTURAL TOURISM

CUT Methodology. Main conclusions Polycentrism Balanced spatial development Sustainability Endogenous development of areas with low population density with particular natural and cultural characteristics Surface of the mountainous area, population density Area assets (environmental, natural, historical, cultural) –Spatial Planning Instruments –Processes of citizen participation –Number of declarations of Items - sites of cultural interest –Number of visitants Infrastructure (accessibility, hospitality, services, local products) –Approachness abilities –Accommodation abilities –Touristic abilities –Manufacturing of local products Promoting actions (studies, planning, marketing) –Information material –Touristical Information

CUT Methodology. Main conclusions We are expecting you in Dotsiko!