1. Project Title Adaptability of SMEs in Tourism and Local Products in Epirus Commercializing of Tourism Katerina Filippou Katerina Filippou BIC of Epirus Zvolen, 12 June 2007

2. Commercializing of Tourism Aim of this project is the Tourism Industry presentation, the methods of management – Promotion Channels, Quality controls tools, Environmental issues based on its sustainable development.

3. Commercializing of Tourism Participating countries are:  Spain (Extremadura)  Ιtaly (Campania)  Slovakia (Ζvolen)  Greece (Epirus)

4. Region of Epirus Epirus is comprised by four Prefectures, these are:  Prefecture of Ioannina  Prefecture of Arta  Prefecture of Preveza and  Prefecture of Thesprotia The capital of the Region is the city of Ioannina.

5. Region of Epirus  Epirus total land area is 9.203 km³ covering 6.7% of the country’s area.  It’s geomorphology is characterized by the mountainous terrain and the plentitude of water resources. This results to a rich natural environment, with plenty of forests, unique flora and fauna and rare natural beauty.

6. Region of Epirus Economy  A percentage by 4.5% of the Greek rural production occurs in Epirus, an amount of 13% regarding the Greek manufacture and 2.6% for the Greek service sector. Epirus GDP Per Capita reach the amount of 9.977 € which occurs to 84% average for Greece. As far as the EU patterns concern, this is translated to 67% of the EU average. Due to these data, Epirus is placed among the poorest EU regions, together with Western Greece, Peloponnesus, Portuguese Azores, Spanish Extremadure and overseas areas of France.

7. Region of Epirus Employment  Epirus unemployment rates are reduced to 3 units (10.6% of the workforce). According to Eurostat, the workforce of Epirus is expected to increase up to 8.6% during 2000 – 2010.

8. Commercializing of Tourism Common characteristics of all regions are:  The dynamic natural and cultural environment,  The effective resources usage (natural, human, financial),  Diversification in Tourism product and alternative types of tourism offer,  Targeting to sustainable development.

9. Commercializing of Tourism As well as:  Seasonality of the tourism sector,  Infrastructure of high quality services (hotels, restaurants, highways, airports, ports, etc),  The effective use of promotion methods and advertising apart usual ones (Exhibitions, spots, etc),  The application of international Quality patterns.

10. Commercializing of Tourism Given the natural terrain of all 4 regions - mainly mountainous 2 of which do not provide close contact to the sea – we note that they have managed to develop:  Rural Tourism,  Thematic Tourism, such as: - Adventure & Sports - Religious - Health - Cultural - Gastronomy

11. Commercializing of Tourism All 4 regions service tourists by using main transport means such as:  Domestic Airline companies,  Modern highways,  Railways – apart Epirus,  By sea – apart regions of Slovakia and Spain.

12. Commercializing of Tourism We should note that the 4 regions present a dynamic development route related to infrastructure as well as strong cooperation schemes with others such as Tour Operators, large hotel complexes, etc.

13. Commercializing of Tourism The main issues to be analyzed within this guide are:  Promotion Methods for tourism  Environment and Tourism  Quality & Safety in Tourism  Local Products  Success Stories in Tourism and  Forecasts

14. Commercializing of Tourism Success Stories for each Region: Extremadura (Spain) the most interesting success story refers to an initiative of creating the so called ‘Green Roads’ which targets to the best usage of old – out of order railway lines. In a country of 7.000 klm. Of railway lines the necessity of environmental management of surrounding areas was on the scene. The Green Roads offer the ability to visitors, to taste several activities and enjoy the natural environment.

15. Commercializing of Tourism Banskobystricky (Slovakia): 1. The transformation of a small traditional village in a contemporary tourist attraction during the winter and summer, resulted a major success story for Slovakia. Visitors enjoy the outstanding environment, do ski during the winter and trekking during the summer as well as a number of other activities in the area. An area of high unemployment managed to overcome by creating a center for different tourism activities. With the use of new technologies, many visitors today may enjoy business and pleasure. 2. The creation of a Tourism Guide, awarded in the ‘Tourism Promotion in Slovakia’ category.

16. Commercializing of Tourism Campania (Italy): The application of a project in 15 Municipalities refer to the promotion of a Monastery, one of the oldest in the world, recognized by Unesco, known as ‘Certosa di Padula’. This idea resulted to the area transformation based on a sustainable development and proper use of natural and cultural resources.

17. Commercializing of Tourism Epirus (Greece): 1.The small tourism enterprises clustering took place in Epirus by covering a respective geographical range. This cooperation, offered a new development era in mountainous areas while due to the use of ICT, these businesses provide e-commerce. 2. A major effort, during the Innovative Actions under the ERDF 2000-2006 implemented in the region by BIC of Epirus, was the Business Angels and & Matching Events meetings among entrepreneurs and investors from Greece and abroad. This effort still continues while 2 cases follow their own development route through this initiative.

18. Commercializing of Tourism Tourism and the Future Sustainable development, long term planning related to the rescue of Rural sector and enhancing of alternative types of tourism – always in relation to the natural environment an culture – consist main directions for all 4 regions.

19. Commercializing of Tourism This can be succeeded by using correct planning methods, polices application and capital provision coming not only from EC funding but mainly through private initiatives. The necessity of Training tools is also noted here.

20. Commercializing of Tourism Thank you