ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the features of the tourism industry in the south-east of Europe. Here the primary resources are the attractive coastal and mountain environments, while the Mediterranean climate of the islands is ideal for recreational tourism. Most of these countries have benefited from their accessibility to the tourist-generating countries of central and northern Europe and the demand for ‘sun, sand and sea’ holidays. The islands of Greece, Croatia and Cyprus also have a rich cultural heritage, blending south European and Middle Eastern influences; cultural attractions include well-preserved archaeological sites, Orthodox monasteries, Crusader castles and music festivals. The heritage of the Ottoman Empire is evident in the culinary and architectural resources of most countries in the region. With the exception of Greece, which has a long tradition of cultural tourism, most countries in the region are comparative latecomers to the industry in a region where political instability and ethnic strife have long been a feature. This is partly as a legacy of Ottoman rule. In many places there is a growing awareness by the authorities of the need to protect the environment, as well as archaeological heritage, as these tourism resources are vulnerable to the impacts of mass tourism. Outbound and domestic tourism are much less significant than incoming tourism and travel propensities throughout the region are low. Most domestic tourists stay with friends and relatives rather than use serviced accommodation. One of the main problems facing inbound tourism is a pronounced summer peak in demand, especially in Greece. Attempts to develop winter tourism have met with little success, with the notable exception of Cyprus. The domination of the industry by foreign tour operators makes it difficult for local entrepreneurs to respond with new quality products as the markets are price-sensitive.
