The reinforcement and development of tourism product: The case of Kerkini’s Lake wetland, research and suggestions

Abstract

H λίμνη Κερκίνη στο Νομό Σερρών αποτελεί έναν μοναδικό υγροβιότοπο, με καταπληκτική φυσική ομορφιά, χλωρίδα και πανίδα. Η περιοχή της λίμνης είναι εύκολα προσβάσιμη, έχει μεγάλες δυνατότητες ανάπτυξης και κατέχει σημαντική θέση στο γενικό τουριστικό ενδιαφέρον στον κόσμο. Η έρευνα αυτή καταγράφει τις απόψεις των επισκεπτών και επαγγελματιών του τουρισμού στην περιοχή της λίμνης, την υφιστάμενη κατάσταση, προοπτικές και προτάσεις για τη βελτίωση του τουριστικού προϊόντος της περιοχής του Εθνικού Πάρκου της λίμνης Κερκίνης. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι το Εθνικό Πάρκο είναι γνωστό στην περιοχή και στη χώρα της Ελλάδας, όχι όμως σε διεθνές επίπεδο. Η ταυτότητα του τουριστικού προορισμού πρέπει να επαναπροσδιορισθεί και να τεθούν βάσεις νέου σχεδιασμού και ανασυγκρότησης του τουριστικού προσανατολισμού της περιοχής. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό οι βασικοί άξονες ανάπτυξης θα πρέπει να είναι η δημιουργία καλύτερων υποδομών, εκπαίδευση εργαζομένων, δημιουργία τουριστικής ταυτότητας και παροχή αξέχαστων εμπειριών σε όλους τους επισκέπτες.

This research was made in order to capture the views of the visitors in the area of the lake Kerkini in the prefecture of Serres, in order to draw conclusions on the current situation as well as suggestions for improving the tourist product of the region of Central Macedonia’s National Park. There is a questionnaire that consists of some demographic questions such as gender, yearly income and general tourist habits, and from the results collected both from tourists and hoteliers, there are some grounds of new planning and reconstruction of the managing and marketing systems in order to improve National Park as touristic product. Firstly the results are showing that the National park is well known in the area, and in the country of Greece, though internationally there are still many gaps that are needed to be filled in the future, for the general benefit of this region and the city of Serres. As head of department of tourism in the city of Serres, it was my pleasure to research and to talk about this treasure of nature that we have in our nearby, and it will be my pleasure to implement following ideas to sustain better image of Greece, Central Macedonia, Serres and lake Kerkini in the future. This work will show anyone who is interested what to focus on while working on the management of branding this touristic product. Firstly, the questionnaire that I have made will be submitted forward, together with responses and plans for better promotion and understanding of lake Kerkini’s importance. In this work, I would like to point out that this region is point of Special interest tourism, that nowadays has so much expansion and has significant place in general tourism interest in the world. That is why I am oriented to creating a new spot light of Greek natural beauties. The main aims of this research is to focus on improving tourism in the lake by implementing successful paths that some other more boosted touristic areas has done already. That is, to build better infrastructure, to implement special training on the employees in touristic areas and to focus on giving unforgettable experiences to all our visitors by making them see, taste and try the areas products.