Chapter 6: Hiking Tourism in Greece

In recent years there has been a strong shift of people in walking tourism both internationally and in Greece. It is a type of tourism based on the search and participation in aesthetic, spiritual, emotional and psychological experiences. The protection of the natural environment and the promotion of natural historical-cultural monuments attract more and more visitors. Hiking is experiencing a steady growth. Greece due to the good weather conditions for most of the year is a suitable field for hiking. A very basic advantage of hiking is that tourists/hikers stay for many days in the place that interests them. Greece keeps alive the cultural heritage through the customs and traditions that are still part of everyday life. The traditional forms of life and the great architectural and cultural heritage have been preserved by inhabitants who experience the traditions every day. In the case of Greece, an important place is occupied by the ‘paths’, masterpieces of our cultural heritage which highlight the history and culture. The combination of the cultural, historical and religious wealth of Greece with the intense interest for hiking can be one of the main factors of their tourism development. The purpose of this research is to highlight hiking tour as a key factor in the development of Greece in the context of tourism development and formulation of a tourism policy plan, which will include several selected actions for the design and management of walking tourism. Also, it aims to highlight the great challenges and opportunities brought by walking tourism. The presentation of the research findings highlights why the management of walking tourism is particularly important to make the ‘paths’ of Greece an important tool and advantage for their tourism.