Ecotourism potential of Samos:

SWOT analysis

SWOT analysis
SWOT analysis is a strategic planning method used to assess the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business venture.

 S-O (Strengths-Opportunities): pursuing the best opportunities that match strengths; W-O (weaknesses-opportunities): overcoming weaknesses in search of opportunities; S-T (Strengths-Threats): to identify the ways to use strengths in order to reduce vulnerability to external threats; W-T (Weaknesses-Threats): to establish a defensive plan in order to prevent a situation where the weaknesses are very vulnerable to external threats.

Strengths
1. Natural potential
Mountains. The Mountains are very important part of Samos landscape and the main kind of tourism activities we can practice are: Hiking Mountaineering Cycling

The Aegean Sea is one of the most complex touristic areas of interest on Samos and one of the major attractions in Europe and all other the world due to its uniqueness in the European area. The Aegean Sea`s main attractions are: The diversity of beaches Fish fauna Fishing.

 Hydrography includes an extensive network of rivers and a variety of waterfalls. Climate contributes with values of temperature to create favorable environment for travelling. The climate on the island is mild Mediterannean. In comparison to the coasts of continental Greece, that are found in the same geographic width, Samos has hotter winters and cooler summers.

 Vegetation. The vegetation of the island is extremely dense and diverse, fact that renders Samos unique amongst other Aegean islands. Medicinal plants should also be referred to as a natural factor (phytotherapy) which is highly appreciated ( Ex. Calendula) Fauna. The fauna is just as rich, with mamamals such as wild boars, jackals, etc. There exist various sea animals, like monachus-monachus seals, dolphins etc. Some of fish have a special significance for fishing.

2.

Anthropogenic potential

Archaeological remains: Museums: Samos Archaeological Museum , Archaeological Museum Pythagorio, Museum of Natural History, Byzantine Museum, etc. Temples : Temple of the Goddess Hera Historical monuments of art and architecture: Monasteries and Churches (in Samos there are more than 1300 counted churces): Monastery Spiliani, Agia Zoni Monastery, Agia Zoni Monastery, Agia Triada Monastery, etc; Castles: Lykourgos Castle The Tunnel of Eupalinos Cultural events: Festivals & Customs: Kadis

3.

Creation of new tourism products

In the recent years, Greece had not an active presence on international markets through the development of national tourism products for several categories of tourists even though it has a great potential to develop new tourism products such as: agro-tourism, fishing tourism, etc. If authorities of Samos promote these travel programs at international level, it will attract different segments of tourists, but without clear evidence of one of them and without supporting by national and local tourism policy ( Eg. To support investments in tourism) it will be difficult to put into practice.

Weaknesses
Poor development of tourist services in small cities. If on the island's big cities there are various ways of entertainment: cinemas, bars, clubs in smaller cities or tourist resorts, such services are found only partial. It is a weakness, which once removed will develop particular industries, ensuring the harmonious development of tourist areas. Lack of infrastructure is one of the weaknesses of Samos, a island's disadvantage not only in tourism but in other sectors too.

 Lack of investment to exploit natural resources of the island and to develop new touristic products will have negative effects on tourism and resident population. In fact, natural resources and tourism should be mutually supportive. This cooperation can be achieved by involving both the government sector and private sector in a mutually beneficial partnership. As a promotion, Samos has not created a clear and strong international market because it has not adopted a systematic and sustained policy to attract foreign tourists. That is why, foreigners interested in Samos have a confusing picture in the minds of. Promotion needs to be strong, concerted, to present the elements that differentiate Samos from other islands, must have a unique element of attraction that will encourage many foreign tourists to visit Samos.

Opportunities
The geopolitical position
which Samos has, makes a great advantage over other islans. Samos is located near the western of Turkey, which means that is like between Europe and Asia. This advantage can be developed in terms of tourism from the perspective of rest and relaxation by relatively small distances between Samos and Turkey where are also many tourists. Samos safety compared with countries from Europe receiving tourists, may be an opportunity that can be operated in conditions in which terrorist attacks were felt in countries like Turkey and Spain, both major destinations for coastal tourism.

Threats
Increasing oil prices will adversely affect tourist flows by increasing the price of airline tickets. Oil prices have an economic impact on tourism emitting countries, slower economic growth with negative effects on consumption

Thank you for your attention !