Determinant factors of tourist attractiveness of Greek prefectures

Tourism constitutes one of the most dynamic and rapidly developing sectors of the Greek economy, making a decisive contribution to the growth of many Greek regions. The increase in tourist flows to all regions of the country is a vital pursuit of its regional policies, and a means for achieving regional economic development. The intense differentiation in tourist arrivals at each individual prefecture of the country constitutes an issue that is related to the more general characteristics and factors that shape the degree of tourist attractiveness of each area. The present article examines the tourism characteristics of Greek prefectures and the factors that affect related tourist flows and define the structure of the country's internal tourism. Furthermore, a proposal is made as to the typology of the prefectures according to their tourist resources. The determination and the analysis of factors are performed by using the multiple regression statistical model, which calculates the impact of each individual determinant on the tourist attractiveness of the prefectures. Moreover, by using hierarchical cluster analysis, two uniform territorial units of tourist attractiveness are formed, thus giving the opportunity to decision-makers to exercise a more effective tourism and regional policy. The basic conclusion that results from the article is that the presence of sandy beaches and the sea vitally contributes to the configuration of each prefecture's overall tourist attractiveness. Copyright © 2009 WIT Press