Research study of Athenian Tourism

The Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo), within the context of the creation of notable tourism within the City of Athens, and in conjunction with the Tourism Research and Study Centre of the Department of Business Administration at the University of the Aegean, proceeded in the establishment of a study entitled: Research Study of Athenian Tourism- from the Pre-Olympic to the Post-Olympic Period: The influence of the Olympic Games in terms of existing conditions, prioritised strategies, the prospects and challenges and steps to be taken over the next 5 year period (2008-2012).

The aim of the study is to comprise the first specialised report of the path taken by Athens tourism during the period between 2000-2007, to function as a point of reference and basis of notable tourism within the City of Athens and, finally, to distinguish the challenges and the subsequent steps indicated for the development, administration and promotion of tourism in Athens in the years to follow.

The study includes:

• Documentation of the general structure of the city pertaining to the commodity of tourism prior to and following the Olympic Games in 2004.
• Statistical analysis of the figures from 2000 to 2007 and a comparative analysis of a selection of competitive urban destinations and report on the effect of the Olympic Games on the issue of tourism in Athens, of the changes in tourist activity in terms of nationality during the 2000-20007 period, as well as the objectives of the Athens tourism market over the next 5 years (2008-2012).
• Documentation of the changes in hotel facilities (number and categories provided) prior to and following the Olympic Games and a study of the development of the combination of hotel establishments during the 2000-2007 period.
• Documentation of the number of conventions and of participants in Athens conventions from the pre-olympic to the post-olympic period.
• Analysis of the drop in revenue of the local hotel sector.
• Documentation of the number of visitors to selected sightseeing areas of the city from the pre-olympic to the post-olympic period.
• Documentation of the average expenditure per tourist/visitor to the city.
• Collection of previous published studies concerning the level of satisfaction of tourists in Athens and the publication of any unexpected revelations in terms of the opinions of visitors of the tourist commodities available in Athens.
• Conduct of research for the first time into foreign tour operators who specialise in the area of ‘city breaks' with the objective of evaluating the post-olympic pathway of Athens, the current image of Athens in comparison with other competitive destinations, as well as its prospects in the international tourism market.
• Publication of conclusions drawn from the evidence which will have emerged from the aforementioned research studies, as well as from the trends and the data of the international tourism market, and determination of: a) the strategies to be prioritised, the prospects and demand for tourism in Athens in addition to: b) the main proposed course of action of the ATEDCo, and the authoritative bodies as a whole, during the 5 year period from 2008-2012. The objective being the establishment of Athens as one of the leading urban destinations (city breaks and conferences) in Europe.

This study was compiled by a team of researchers headed by Dr. Paris Tsartas, Dr. Dimitris Koutoulas and Dr. Andreas Papatheodoros. For further information relating to the study, please contact the Project Leader and Director of Tourism Development at ATEDCo, Mr. Manolis Psaros.