The subject concerning the present article is the economic crisis in Greece and the potential sustainable tourism development through environmental planning. In the general perception, the economic crisis problems in Greek tourism constitute distortion of the developmental model which has reached its limits of exhaustion and saturation. An analysis of the existent situation in domestic tourist market will be attempted, by examining the circumstantial conjunctions and structural causes, as this is perceived and applied in Greece, which has manifested symptoms of further deterioration due to the global economic crisis. The existing model of tourist development, the 4S (Ford) model and the saturation of the tourist product will be presented in order to prove the importance of implementing a differentiated model, the 4E (post Ford) model, which concerns subjects of environmental conservation, can be practised as a tool towards sustainability and general growth. The subject of environmental planning and its potential contribution to sustainable tourism development will be provided by examining the interaction between tourism and environment. Achieving sustainable tourism requires motivation, determination and a systematic environmental planning, to confront the economic crisis effects. The potential dimension to make tourism a form of Sustainable Development, by practising environmental planning and its applicable concepts should be viewed, as a part of a larger policy framework designed, to achieve a sustainable society.
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International scientific congress on current trends in tourism management and tourism policy
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