International Economic Relations and Sustainable Tourism: The Case of Greece

Authors

  • Georgios A. Deirmentzoglou Neapolis University Pafos https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1687-0708
  • Eleni E. Anastasopoulou Neapolis University Pafos
  • Eirini Vlassi University of the Aegean

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/ictr.8.1.3472

Keywords:

sustainable tourism, foreign investment, trade agreement, digital tools, technological innovation, overtourism, Greece

Abstract

International economic relations are increasingly shaping the trajectory of global tourism, with profound implications for sustainability and environmental management. Economic partnerships, trade agreements, foreign investments, and technological innovations not only drive the development of tourism infrastructure but also influence sustainable practices through resource efficiency, environmental regulations, and cultural conservation. While these international dynamics can promote growth, they also pose risks of overtourism and environmental degradation if sustainability is not integrated into the core strategies of tourism development. The challenge lies in aligning economic growth with sustainable tourism practices, particularly in destinations heavily reliant on international tourism flows. This study examines the impact of international economic relations on sustainable tourism in Greece, with a specific focus on the Peloponnese region. By conducting in-depth interviews with policy-makers, the research explores how global economic interactions—such as trade policies, foreign direct investments, and tourism agreements—coupled with technological innovation, influence both the development and sustainability of the local tourism sector. Special attention is given to how cutting-edge technologies, such as digital platforms, data analytics, and smart tourism solutions, are leveraged to enhance environmental management and resource conservation. The study also addresses the opportunities and challenges faced by policy-makers in balancing economic development with environmental sustainability, providing key insights into the role of international cooperation and technology-driven solutions in promoting a sustainable future for tourism in Greece. The findings offer valuable policy recommendations for enhancing sustainable tourism practices in Greece and other regions navigating the complexities of global economic interdependence.

Author Biographies

Georgios A. Deirmentzoglou, Neapolis University Pafos

Dr. Georgios Deirmentzoglou is an Assistant Professor in International Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Sustainable Development at Neapolis University Pafos (Cyprus). He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Piraeus, where he also earned an MBA with a specialization in Total Quality Management (MBA-TQM) and a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Management and Technology. Additionally, he has pursued studies in film and music production.

Before joining Neapolis University Pafos, Georgios served as an Adjunct Lecturer and Academic Fellow at the University of Piraeus and other colleges in Greece in partnership with UK and French universities. His research interests focus on entrepreneurship, technological innovation, human-computer interaction, sustainable development, and tourism. His research has been published in high-impact international peer-reviewed journals and presented at more than 30 international peer-reviewed conferences.

Georgios has extensive experience as a Principal Investigator and Researcher in EU-funded projects, primarily focusing on digital transformation and sustainable development. Beyond academia, he has practical expertise in e-commerce, including the creation and management of online stores, and is the co-founder of a consulting firm specializing in information systems and software.

Eleni E. Anastasopoulou, Neapolis University Pafos

Dr Eleni E. Anastasopoulou is a Lecturer in Sustainable Entrepreneurship at the Neapolis University Pafos. She holds a Ph.D. in Sustainable Agri-food Entrepreneurship from the University of the Peloponnese, an M.Sc. in Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture with a specialization in Food Science and Technology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. During her studies, she was awarded a scholarship by the Department of Economics at the University of Athens for the “Entrepreneurship in Practice” program.

Her research focuses on sustainable development, technological innovation in the agri-food and tourism sectors, rural national and European policies related to agri-food entrepreneurship and the improvement of the quality of life of people living in rural areas. She has published in high-impact international peer-reviewed journals, including ‘Journal of Rural Studies’ ranked ABS:3, ‘Strategic Change’ and ‘The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation’, both ranked ABS:2, and has also contributed as co-editor of an edited volume and co-author of book chapters. She has presented at more than 20 international peer-reviewed conferences. She also brings extensive experience as a Researcher in EU-funded research projects.

Her previous working experience include managing and monitoring agricultural sector funded projects, as well as a product management position in both the public and private sectors.

Eirini Vlassi, University of the Aegean

Eirini Vlassi is Assistant Professor in Brand Development of Tourism Businesses and Destinations in the University of the Aegean. She holds a PhD in Collaborative Destination Marketing and Branding (University of the Aegean), an MSc in Business Administration- Tourism Management (University of Piraeus) and a B.Sc. in Economics (University of Crete).

She served as a lecturer in Neapolis University Pafos in the field of management and marketing of tourism business and tourism destinations and a coordinator of the MBA in Tourism in the same University. Since 2018, she has been an adjunct lecturer teaching Strategic Destination Management and Marketing in the MBA Programme in Aviation and Tourism Management that Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Germany offered in collaboration with the University of the Aegean, Chios (Greece). She had also served as an adjunct lecturer in the MSc in Digital and Social Media Marketing of the University of East London.

Her research focuses on destination marketing and branding, digital marketing and co-creation in the tourism sector.

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Published

2025-04-14

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2025): Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Tourism Research

Section

Academic Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2025 International Conference on Tourism Research

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