Tourism and the environment: the case of Zakynthos

• Published in: Tourism management (1982) Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 137 - 141
• Main Authors: Prunier, E.K., Sweeney, A.E., Geen, A.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Guildford, U.K Elsevier Ltd 01.04.1993; Butterworths
• ISSN: 0261-5177; 1879-3193
• DOI: 10.1016/0261-5177(93)90047-O

The growth of tourism on the Greek island of Zakynthos in recent years has posed a considerable threat to the existence of the Loggerhead turtles which have nesting areas on certain of the resort's beaches. Responses received from tourists and residents during interviews held on the island in the summer of 1991 would suggest that legislation established for the protection of wildlife is not always effective and that many members of the community resent the imposition by the Greek government of any restrictions on tourist development. Various strategies are discussed with a view to reconciling the aspirations of local people for the continuation of tourist operations and the desire of conservationists to safeguard the habitat of an endangered species. These policies are grouped into three broad categories: power-coercive; empirical-rational; and normative-educative.