PERSPECTIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ON THE ISLAND OF RHODES (GREECE): PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

摘要

The island of Rho'des is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece. However, the lack of tourism development planning has led to an overexploitation of resources and to gradual environmental degradation. The aim of this paper is to present a set of proposals concerning the sustainable development of the island. A general analysis of the area was carried out and specific problems and opportunities were identified through a SWOT (Strengths - Weaknesses - Opportunities - Threats) analysis of the region. Public participation was also incorporated into the whole process through a questionnaire survey, which investigated public opinions and perceptions concerning the existing problems and development opportunities on the island of Rhodes. After combining the SWOT analysis and the survey results, a general framework of proposals was formulated and further evaluated by an expert group through pairwise comparisons. The final outcome of the whole process is a portfolio of proposals, projects, activities, constructions and actions that need to be effectively implemented in order to target the sustainable development of this coastal area.