Strategic development of the Ionian Islands tourism product
Corfu tourism
01 Aug 2018
/ 15:09
CORFU. The main focus was on expanding tourism beyond the normal season and enhancing the tourism product.
The Ionian Islands Regional Administration organized an event 'Strategic development of the Ionian Islands tourism product' Tuesday evening. The presentation was made by the Regional technical adviser Giorgos Drakopoulos who gave significant guidelines and information on further development of the Ionian Islands tourism product to the organizations and professionals present at the meeting.
Mr. Drakopoulos stressed that, "Improvement in the competitiveness of the Ionian Islands' tourism product needs to supported by the setting of strategic targets and prioritising the geographical and product markets." He also talked at length about extending the tourist period to include other months.
"The Ionian Islands' demand strategy needs to aim at the proportionate reduction (decrease in dependency) in the UK market whilst at the same time aiming at an increase in the Eurozone market, especially Germany and the Netherlands, which have less seasonality. Immediately after these comes Poland. There may be slight differences in the demand strategy for each destination in the Ionian Islands. The UK market remains the main target, mainly due to its size but also its greater demand than other markets even at the beginning and end of the season. However, because of the probable fluctuations in the Euro-Sterling exchange rate due to Brexit there needs to strategy to encourage demand preferrably from countries in the Eurozone."
In the presentation of 'The strategic development of the Ionian Islands tourism product' it was deemed necessary to develop and enrich the Ionian Islands' tourism product 'sun and sea' with the following products:
1st priority - Trekking and diving
2nd priority - Cycling
3rd priority and supporting all the other products - Gastronomy
These are priorities which involve relatively small costs and can be implemented quickly. They target a wide age-range relatively easily in countries which have plenty of direct flights to the Ionian Islands.
Ioian Islands Regional Governor Theodoros Galiatsatos followed the presentation with interest and said, "The Ionian Islands Regional Administration is making this research study available to all members of the tourist industry as a basis for discussion and decision-making iin the near future. Both the public and private sectors must do their best."
The Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism Spyros Galiatsatos also addressed the meeting and attendees included: Deputy Regional Governor for Employment, Social Welfare and Volunteerism Alekos Michalas, President of the Regional Council Christos Moraitis, President of Corfu Chamber of Commerce Giorgos Hondroyiannis, President of Corfu Hoteliers Association Haralambos Voulgaris as well as representatives of local professional organizations and associations.
In his brief address Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism Spyros Galiatsatos said, "Our actions need to be detailed and supported by research studies and with ongoing meetings at all regional levels on this subject we can decide together which actions to implement."
There was open discussion following the presentation and it was decided that to market and achieve the priority goals ongoing research support was required. This research should aim at defining the customer characteristics of the specialised market recommended for the Ionian Islands in order to facilitate promotion planning.
Similar presentations on 'The strategic development of the Ionian Islands tourism product' will take place in other areas in the Ionian Islands in the near future.
Mr. Drakopoulos stressed that, "Improvement in the competitiveness of the Ionian Islands' tourism product needs to supported by the setting of strategic targets and prioritising the geographical and product markets." He also talked at length about extending the tourist period to include other months.
"The Ionian Islands' demand strategy needs to aim at the proportionate reduction (decrease in dependency) in the UK market whilst at the same time aiming at an increase in the Eurozone market, especially Germany and the Netherlands, which have less seasonality. Immediately after these comes Poland. There may be slight differences in the demand strategy for each destination in the Ionian Islands. The UK market remains the main target, mainly due to its size but also its greater demand than other markets even at the beginning and end of the season. However, because of the probable fluctuations in the Euro-Sterling exchange rate due to Brexit there needs to strategy to encourage demand preferrably from countries in the Eurozone."
In the presentation of 'The strategic development of the Ionian Islands tourism product' it was deemed necessary to develop and enrich the Ionian Islands' tourism product 'sun and sea' with the following products:
1st priority - Trekking and diving
2nd priority - Cycling
3rd priority and supporting all the other products - Gastronomy
These are priorities which involve relatively small costs and can be implemented quickly. They target a wide age-range relatively easily in countries which have plenty of direct flights to the Ionian Islands.
Ioian Islands Regional Governor Theodoros Galiatsatos followed the presentation with interest and said, "The Ionian Islands Regional Administration is making this research study available to all members of the tourist industry as a basis for discussion and decision-making iin the near future. Both the public and private sectors must do their best."
The Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism Spyros Galiatsatos also addressed the meeting and attendees included: Deputy Regional Governor for Employment, Social Welfare and Volunteerism Alekos Michalas, President of the Regional Council Christos Moraitis, President of Corfu Chamber of Commerce Giorgos Hondroyiannis, President of Corfu Hoteliers Association Haralambos Voulgaris as well as representatives of local professional organizations and associations.
In his brief address Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism Spyros Galiatsatos said, "Our actions need to be detailed and supported by research studies and with ongoing meetings at all regional levels on this subject we can decide together which actions to implement."
There was open discussion following the presentation and it was decided that to market and achieve the priority goals ongoing research support was required. This research should aim at defining the customer characteristics of the specialised market recommended for the Ionian Islands in order to facilitate promotion planning.
Similar presentations on 'The strategic development of the Ionian Islands tourism product' will take place in other areas in the Ionian Islands in the near future.
