Tourist Clusters and the Tourist Experience as a Tool for Smart, Sustainable, and Integrated Development of Rural Areas: The Case of Troodos in Cyprus

Cluster theory has been developed for two decades. Initially, it was a tool for better describing the economic activity of companies that were geographically concentrated and based on knowledge. In practice, the cluster model helps to understand how the companies that make it up are connected, how they are interdependent, and also how they will become more competitive, appreciating how important each of them is. The aim is to clearly define the concept of a cluster today, as well as the reasons that make its creation beneficial for all the companies that make it up without being competitive and since the companies themselves create an added value. Choosing the correct research methodology can determine the success and overall quality of the report as well as the impact of the project. Choosing Qualitative research method to collect the data for this report, achieved by interviewing key persons of the Troodos Region, from different sectors of the daily life, i.e., tourism industry, local authorities, Troodos organizations using a semi-structured questionnaire giving them the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings regarding the creation of a new cluster in the local tourism industry and facing their worries and potential risks. From the other side, focus groups in each subregion of Troodos offer the chance of inviting a limited number of individuals in common physical environment to discuss in an organized way with the help of one or more mediators about clustering in Troodos region and a series of interrelated issues. Through this study answer the question: How the tourism clusters in Troodos and a pilot project began from Platres, will provide platforms of local economic development, growth and innovation of new and existing enterprises in the tourism industry, through trusted cooperation and creative complementarity, especially in a small economy like Platres, whereas as the economists state “Small is beautiful”, in the sense that tourism clusters in Platres, can be easily managed with a great impact and results. From what has been said above, there is no doubt that a number of actions should be taken with the ultimate goal of strengthening clusters in the tourism, in order to stimulate and develop innovation, but also competitiveness between companies of all sectors of the wider economy and especially the tourism sector. In fact, by strengthening the clusters, it is possible to promote competitiveness, as well as encouraging businesses to be productive, as well as developing entrepreneurship. Finally, it is important to emphasize the need to strengthen the clusters, as well; through them, it is possible to encourage the local economic development and the growth of new enterprises in the market.