Page 14 - iGREECE_EATA MARCH 2025

Tourism Carrying Capacity

Study in Athens:

Exploring Sustainable Solutions

D evelop Athens, in collaboration with the Furthermore, consultations with residents and

business owners in Athens played an important role
Department of Tourism Studies at the
University of Piraeus and the firm Gimisis
in the research. These consultations served as a plat-
+ Associates, conducted a comprehen-
form for dialogue and the exchange of views, allowing
sive and innovative study on the Tourism
regarding the city’s carrying capacity. The opinions
Carrying Capacity of the City of Athens. The research participants to express their proposals and concerns
aimed to assess the impact of tourism on the Greek gathered were incorporated into the overall analysis
capital and evaluate the satisfaction levels of residents, and contributed to a comprehensive understanding of
businesses, and visitors. In an era where tourism is a the challenges and opportunities linked to tourism in
key pillar of the local economy but also a challenge for the city.
infrastructure and social cohesion, this study sought to
capture the current situation and propose sustainable The coordinated effort between the academic
solutions for the future. sector and municipal authorities serves as an ex-
ample of best practices for managing complex issues,
The methodology employed was multifaceted, re- such as the sustainability of tourism in a metropolitan
lying on modern research practices to achieve reliable environment. This study underscores the importance
and comprehensive results. Primary research was first of a well-documented approach to decision-making
conducted with Athens residents to gather their opin- for the sustainable management of Athens as a tourism
ions and measure their acceptance of tourism. Simul- destination.
taneously, the study extended to businesses and facili-
ties involved in tourism-related services, capturing the
perceptions and experiences of professionals regarding Tourism in
tourism and the city’s carrying capacity.

Additionally, qualitative and descriptive analy- Athens:
sis was conducted, including photographing various
areas of Athens during both high and low tourism ac- Challenges and
tivity periods. A comparative analysis of these images
highlighted differences in the city’s daily functioning,
infrastructure pressure, and the impact of increased Sustainable
tourism on residents’ lives and the aesthetic of the ur-
accumulation, traffic congestion, and the alteration of Solutions
ban environment. These photographs offered tangible
examples of the challenges the city faces, such as waste

sations in Athens. These interviews provided valuable, O vertourism has become a significant
traditional neighbourhood characteristics.

challenge for many urban destinations
Another significant aspect of the study was the
globally. The rapid increase in tourist
implementation of semi-structured interviews with
stakeholders, tourism professionals, and local organi-
numbers in popular cities has led to var-
ious issues, including overburdened infra-
in-depth insights into the perceptions, needs, and con- structure, rising living costs for residents, damage to
cerns of the involved parties. Through this process, cultural monuments, and the distortion of local culture.
conflicts between the needs of residents and visitors Effective tourism management is more urgent than
were highlighted, as well as the challenges that need ever to ensure the sustainable development of cities
to be addressed for sustainable tourism development. and the well-being of their residents.