Alternative Tourism Development: A Theoretical Background

Abstract

This paper presents the development of tourism market through the alternative forms of tourism. Origins and main definitions are presented followed by an analysis of the complexity of classifying the alternative forms of tourism. It is about developing new forms of sustainable tourism that integrate local populations and both natural and human environments of host countries. Ecotourism, cultural tourism and creative tourism support a different philosophy of tourism. Ecotourism in recent years encloses many tourism forms focused on natural environment. In the concept of alternative tourism, the dynamic growth of cultural tourism can be explained by the fast growth of demand for trips to various cultural attractions and amenities. Τhe increase of educated population around the world, the globalization and technology supported this growth. Cultural tourist, from consumer is transforming to producer of the cultural products and experiences. Since this type of tourist becomes more interactive and creative, cultural tourism needs to be repositioned and become more “creative” too. In this way, the present article provides a simplified approach of the new “alternative” tourism development and distinguishes the current trends in tourism market.