Sustainability of the development in the mountain - disadvantaged areas: the case of Vlasti in Greece

The current challenges make the constant search and adoption of sustainable touristic development necessary. This kind of development has both the human and the environment in the centre of interest. The touristic development should aim to both increase the level of the offered services' quality and to incorporate activities that would upgrade the environment. Economic globalisation is constantly testing the ability of regional economies to adapt and exploit or, at least maintain, their comparative advantages. In this difficult and volatile environment, mountain - disadvantaged areas are faced with multiple developmental difficulties. In Greece, the mountain communities were devastated in the period of mass migration abroad and urbanization, during the decades of 1950's, 1960's and 1970's. Each village proudly carries its own history of resistance and its toll in human lives and property damage from the ravages of war and civil division. Gradually the agricultural policy has been changed and the diversification of rural economies has been promoted in order stop depending solely on farm income. However, the mountainous areas are still underdeveloped, without adequate infrastructure in roads, hospitals, water supply, sanitation and communication systems and therefore the government policy is that money should be invested to change the profile of these areas. Through strategic options, certain local communities are successful in achieving exemplary local and, more generally, regional development. In 2012 an empirical research was conducted regarding the case of 'Vlasti' in the prefecture of Kozani. Vlasti is a small community in the mountains of northern Greece, with interesting past, important local products and investments in agri-tourism sector. During the last decade has formulated a development strategy based on the principles of mild and sustainable development. The purpose of the research, which is based upon a primary measurement, is to detect and evaluate the main factors that determine the viability of the development in mountainous regions. The survey was carried out by questionnaires to the local authorities and businesses that took part in investment projects. The questionnaire is divided into four sections with the corresponding questions. The research examines the economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts came after the touristic development in the area. The conclusions of the study are mapping and managing sustainability of the mountain - disadvantaged areas, whether tourism development in mountain areas and whether this growth is sustainable.