The Interest of Sport Tourism Enterprises in Green Practices

Abstract

The focus of this research is mainly on the definition of sustainable tourism actions that Greek enterprises follow and how tourism and sport tourism can be developed in a sustainable way. Sustainability has three strands: economic, social and environmental. From economic aspect there is an interest from all enterprises to implement the following actions: replacing energy-intensive lamps with new technology ones, recycling waste, landscape restoration, use of “green” cleaners, use of organic products, provide and promote traditional foods and drinks, use of photovoltaic, building insulation etc., because there is a reduction of their costs and also simultaneously benefit thereby the environment and furthermore have a social profile “environmental friendly” which is an incentive for some tourists for their choice. This research investigated the attitudes and the behavior of small, medium and large sport tourism enterprises as regards to sustainable development. As a global industry dependent on high quality natural environments for its attractiveness, tourism cannot hide from its responsibility to promote more sustainable business practices. The fundamental idea of the selective marketing approach is to attract a certain kind of tourists to the destination, those who behave in an environmentally friendly manner. The model for sustainable tourism development in Greece relates to ecological change brought by tourist activity, infrastructure development and through sport.