Although a top tourist destination, Corfu has many shortcomings
Corfu
07 Jul 2022
/ 20:26
CORFU. According to a study by the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), the lack of basic infrastructure is negatively affecting Corfu’s image.
Corfu is one of the country’s top tourist destinations with a strong brand name, which in 2019 reached 1.2 million arrivals in accommodation establishments. The island is among the top destinations with a very high international reputation and recognition. However, there is still a lot to be done, as reflected in the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises’ (SETE) study “Greek Tourism 2030: Action Plans - The case of the Ionian Islands Region”, which was presented today at 12:00 at the Corfu Holiday Palace Hotel by SETE President Yiannis Retsos, in the presence of the Ionian Islands Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa.
SETE's study specifies the case of each Regional Unit. For Corfu, the data are 57 pages long, they are of particular interest and are a valuable guide with key issues for further tourism development, ensuring the sustainability, the carrying capacity and the island's authenticity.
The competitive advantages
The sun, the sea, yachting, cruising, the rich cultural heritage with the Old Town, whis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the artistic and musical tradition, the luxurious seaside resorts with modern infrastructure and high-quality services are some of the assets that the island has to offer. In terms of existing tourist products or products to be developed, Corfu is a good choice for city break and conference tourism (for medium and/or small conferences). However, the limited flights between Corfu and the rest of the world in winter are causing problems when it comes to the extension of the tourist season.
Other tourist products that exist or can be developed to enhance the island are agrotourism, ecotourism and sports activities, while culinary tourism has the potential to be developed and become an established tourist product.
The problems
However, according to the study, the lack of basic infrastructure is negatively affecting Corfu’s image. The dense and degraded road network, the damaged road surface, the inadequate street lighting and signage, the water supply issues during the tourist season, the waste management problems and the areas that attract low-quality tourism affect the image of the island and undermine its prospects for improvement.
Rating
Corfu as a tourist destination is rated 3.7 out of 5 based on accessibility and connectivity, tourist products, international reputation and recognition, points of interest, UNESCO monuments and existing demand and supply (accommodation).
The focus
But where should Corfu focus on to develop combinations of main tourism products and markets? For the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France and Poland, which rank among the established markets, with the sun, the sea, yachting and cruise being particularly developed, the answer is cultural and religious tourism. The same applies to the new target markets to be developed, such as the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Hungary, Albania, Israel, the USA, Canada and the Middle East.
10 strategic actions from the public sector
Among the 10 most important strategic actions from the public sector that focus on the "tourist product and its promotion" are the creation of a Destination Management Organisation (DMO) and the implementation of an integrated and dynamic communication strategy, the accessibility infrastructure regarding the improvement of the port and harbour infrastructure and the road network, the promotion of the island's transport hubs, the improvement of beach accessibility with emphasis on the development of supporting infrastructure, the continuous promotion of actions that have made Corfu's beaches accessible to people with special needs, the actions of sustainable environmental protection and sustainability of cruises, the coastal monitoring and the creation of appropriate mooring infrastructure for the upgrading of cruises.
Public-private partnership or private initiative
Regarding private initiative or actions that can be done through public-private partnership, emphasis is placed on the preparation of a study for the creation of golf courses and the attraction of international golf events, the promotion of the hydroplane network and the creation of diving parks and museums of marine ecosystems in Corfu and Paxos. It is also important for local authorities to cooperate with representatives of the cruise industry in order to create the appropriate port and harbour infrastructure, as well as the conditions for the extension of cruising over time. Finally, it is essential to promote the Old Town and other important cultural monuments through tourist packages with guided tours, the creation of gastronomic open-air markets with certified local products, the use of old buildings for exhibitions and the use of old mills, wineries, etc. to create places of gastronomic interest that people can visit.
SETE's study specifies the case of each Regional Unit. For Corfu, the data are 57 pages long, they are of particular interest and are a valuable guide with key issues for further tourism development, ensuring the sustainability, the carrying capacity and the island's authenticity.
The competitive advantages
The sun, the sea, yachting, cruising, the rich cultural heritage with the Old Town, whis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the artistic and musical tradition, the luxurious seaside resorts with modern infrastructure and high-quality services are some of the assets that the island has to offer. In terms of existing tourist products or products to be developed, Corfu is a good choice for city break and conference tourism (for medium and/or small conferences). However, the limited flights between Corfu and the rest of the world in winter are causing problems when it comes to the extension of the tourist season.
Other tourist products that exist or can be developed to enhance the island are agrotourism, ecotourism and sports activities, while culinary tourism has the potential to be developed and become an established tourist product.
The problems
However, according to the study, the lack of basic infrastructure is negatively affecting Corfu’s image. The dense and degraded road network, the damaged road surface, the inadequate street lighting and signage, the water supply issues during the tourist season, the waste management problems and the areas that attract low-quality tourism affect the image of the island and undermine its prospects for improvement.
Rating
Corfu as a tourist destination is rated 3.7 out of 5 based on accessibility and connectivity, tourist products, international reputation and recognition, points of interest, UNESCO monuments and existing demand and supply (accommodation).
The focus
But where should Corfu focus on to develop combinations of main tourism products and markets? For the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France and Poland, which rank among the established markets, with the sun, the sea, yachting and cruise being particularly developed, the answer is cultural and religious tourism. The same applies to the new target markets to be developed, such as the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Hungary, Albania, Israel, the USA, Canada and the Middle East.
10 strategic actions from the public sector
Among the 10 most important strategic actions from the public sector that focus on the "tourist product and its promotion" are the creation of a Destination Management Organisation (DMO) and the implementation of an integrated and dynamic communication strategy, the accessibility infrastructure regarding the improvement of the port and harbour infrastructure and the road network, the promotion of the island's transport hubs, the improvement of beach accessibility with emphasis on the development of supporting infrastructure, the continuous promotion of actions that have made Corfu's beaches accessible to people with special needs, the actions of sustainable environmental protection and sustainability of cruises, the coastal monitoring and the creation of appropriate mooring infrastructure for the upgrading of cruises.
Public-private partnership or private initiative
Regarding private initiative or actions that can be done through public-private partnership, emphasis is placed on the preparation of a study for the creation of golf courses and the attraction of international golf events, the promotion of the hydroplane network and the creation of diving parks and museums of marine ecosystems in Corfu and Paxos. It is also important for local authorities to cooperate with representatives of the cruise industry in order to create the appropriate port and harbour infrastructure, as well as the conditions for the extension of cruising over time. Finally, it is essential to promote the Old Town and other important cultural monuments through tourist packages with guided tours, the creation of gastronomic open-air markets with certified local products, the use of old buildings for exhibitions and the use of old mills, wineries, etc. to create places of gastronomic interest that people can visit.
