Kyriakou D., Sdrolias L. Aspridis G., Koustelios A., Blanas N., Belias D. (2015). Domestic Tourism: Is this a chance for regional development of Thessaly under financial crisis? 1st International Conference of Development and Economy Kalamata Peloponnese Greece 2-4/10/2015

During the last two decades tourism in Greece has become a mass industry concentrated in the island areas. Although they were not part of the more developed regions of the country, tourism in its current structure contributes to the strengthening of interregional disparities in Greece. In addition, in the centers of mass tourism socio -economical unsustainable mend and supply structures evolved. Simultaneously, a question was raised whether the domestic tourism market can increase, and can it offer a socio - economic alternative to the further expansion of international mass tourism. Thus, the so far little developed Center and Northern Greece, with an abundance of historical sites and natural highlights, can offer new destinations for domestic travelers while contributing to a sustainable development of these regions. As a precondition a national domestic tourism policy, stable prices and a strong promotion of the new destinations are essential in these turbulent economic times.