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Holidays
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Amorgos
Discover The Secret
Jewel Of The Cyclades
Eco Tourism and Responsible Travel
Agios Pavlos as it is today
Special Interest Holidays is dedicated to Eco Tourism. We have been working on Amorgos and with other Greek islands to promote this concept since 1994.
Amorgos is about as unspoilt as any Greek island can be from undesirable development. This does not mean we can become complacent. Together with AITO, Elliniki Atairia, The Eco Club, Responsible Travel and the EU (see links) we are working to maintain the beauty and the traditional ethos of the island.
Of course there should be progress. However this has to be planned with Eco Tourism in mind. There are places in the world where large tourist developments can take place without destroying the natural beauty of a destination and damaging the environment. These should not take place in unspoilt areas where visitors come to enjoy the nature and the tranquillity of a remote Greek island. Many destinations have already suffered from the bulldozer and millions of tons of concrete.
Agios Pavlos possible development
Here on Amorgos we are not complacent. The beautiful area of Agios Pavlos, an ancient farming and fishing community (pictured right), is currently threatened by developers with Euro signs in their eyes instead of the views of the mountains, the wildlife and the quiet rural scenes. Plans on drawing boards, such as the artist’s impression below, have to be opposed.
Short of a nuclear explosion there can be nothing more damaging to remote locations such as the Greek islands than sudden unplanned tourism development. The consequences to the physical environment may well destroy the very resource that attracted the tourist’s attention in the first place. The rivers and coastlines become contaminated. The sea breeze carrying the aroma of herbs and flowers becomes polluted with exhaust emissions and aircraft fumes. The sounds of donkeys braying and the waves breaking on the beach are drowned out by beach discos and concrete mixers. Bright street lights block out the deep blue star sparkling Mediterranean night sky. There is congestion at the ports and in the villages that look more like London a week before Christmas rather than a remote Greek island. Road and hotel building causes soil erosion, damages vegetation and wildlife and destroys natural and ancient manmade features.
Protected footpath towards Stroumbos
Income from tourism should not be ploughed back into further building it should be used to conserve and renovate existing resources. Here on Amorgos ruined old stables have been renovated and turned into holiday accommodation, ancient sites are being preserved and footpaths are maintained for visiting walkers and the local people alike. Conservation and the preservation of natural areas have emerged as important spill over benefits of tourism. The protection of the very resources that visitors come to enjoy enhances and perpetuates tourism by maintaining its very foundation.
Eco tourism is primarily the responsibility of the host community and country. However responsible travel is primarily down to the visitor and their tour operator. When planning a trip many aspects should be considered. Is it possible to fly just one sector instead of two to reduce carbon emissions? Read up on local cultures and how they are affected by tourism. Find out if there are local conservation projects at your destination that you could visit. If your holiday includes guides ensure that they are locally based. You will learn more and it is income for the community.
Nature Reserve below Krikellos
Eco tourism and responsible travel is down to all stakeholders. Planners should consider the consequences of their proposals. Local authorities should think about the cost to the community when considering planning applications. When visitors go to an area for the nature and walking, more development is only going to reduce the community income not increase it. Travellers should research their proposed destination at the planning stage and consider the impact of their visit. This doesn’t have to be negative there are many positive aspects to tourism.
Eco tourism and responsible travel is the duty, of anyone who travels or is involved in the business. The jungles and rain forests are being destroyed and small Greek islands are being overdeveloped to the point of destruction. We can build bio-domes and reconstruct jungles and forests, although that is not the solution, but we can’t reconstruct a Greek island or more importantly it’s ethos and family community. Think of the future.
Excerpts from:
‘Eco-Tourism – Managing the Change’ P.R. Delahunt-Rimmer (2006)
Click here to read the full paper »
Special Interest Holidays New Project of Three Websites
Safari Holidays Botswana
After years of research Special Interest Holidays identified a gap in the market where there are no truly independent travel consultants available for guidance in the luxury safari market.
Discovering Botswana
The Adventures of Paul and Henrietta Delahunt-Rimmer on safari holiday in Botswana. Includes a short film (5m:47s) with views of Kwara Camp and wildlife on the concession.
Holidays Botswana
Twenty slideshows with a unique collection of two hundred photographs portraying the natural beauty and wildlife in Botswana. The majority were taken by Paul whilst on safari.
