The challenges and prospects for the development of mountain tourism in a country that has mountainous regions, superb landscapes, traditional villages and settlements should be studied thoroughly by the competent services of this state.
The steps that must be emphasized for the tourism development of the mountainous regions of a country create the corresponding context in which the need to formulate a holistic development strategy should be highlighted, which will take into account the three parameters of sustainability, economic , environmental. Also, the importance of governance and especially the involvement of partners should be emphasized, as mountain tourism is a fragmented economic activity that requires synergies between several businesses and stakeholders, as well as the participation of residents in shaping the offered tourist experience.
Particular importance must be given to the selection of the appropriate mix of activities offered which is in harmony with the particular character and resources of each mountainous area. The selection of the mix is largely the responsibility of the governing bodies. At the same time, packages must be designed that satisfy different visitor profiles both in terms of cost and services offered. The actions also include ensuring the provision of high-quality services through certifications-special marks for businesses active in the field of agritourism and rural tourism. Acquiring recognized brands especially at European or international level increases the chances of successful promotion of agritourism packages by travel agents.
Equally important is ensuring the use of traditional products in the production of dishes in restaurants and accommodation, but also the development of their promotion channels (within restaurants or farms, in specialized shops or during culinary festivals and celebrations). In addition, there is a need to create clusters and cooperative schemes in which complementary businesses throughout the value chain of the agritourism product will participate so as to improve the sustainability of the product offered and also to spread the economic benefits to as many businesses as possible and not only to few. In addition, it is necessary to create tourist information centers as well as ecological education centers near the protected areas.
At the heart of the proposed actions is the improvement of infrastructure
At the level of infrastructure, there should be talk of upgrading the road network, improving road accessibility in areas of tourist interest as well as in protected areas, and upgrading signage and creating suitable parking spaces. The steps to improve the infrastructure include the modernization of electricity, water and sewage networks and the implementation of sustainable wastewater and solid waste management systems. Also, the parallel development of the railway network and all other means of transport available in the area should be mentioned as well as the maintenance of places of historical and archaeological importance, with an emphasis on their lighting, the placement of markings and signs with information.
In this context, it should be pointed out the need to create financial tools with the aim of modernizing and upgrading the quality of tourist accommodation, as well as modern planning, the clear demarcation of ski enthusiasts and the creation of cycling, hiking and mountaineering routes. Of particular importance is the establishment of an integrated framework for the protection of the mountainous natural environment and strict control of its observance. At the same time, digitization should be a key goal in any mountain tourism development strategy. Digitization can contribute both to simplifying many processes by increasing efficiency and reducing costs and to attracting digital nomads.
In order to make this possible it is essential that high speed internet connections are available. In addition, it is necessary to adopt good practices, but also to develop partnerships with international players such as Google, Booking, Airbnb. Besides, the creation of cooperation networks between public and private bodies abroad in the field of adventure tourism which will contribute to the improvement of know-how and the exchange of best practices.
The use of ski centers during the summer season
At an international level, numerous ski destinations also operate outside the ski season, having developed differentiated tourist packages. The diversification and development of infrastructure and activities all-year round is the most important move for entrepreneurs in order to ensure the development of mountain tourism.
the main activities offered by ski resorts internationally throughout the year are: hiking, mountain climbing, canoeing, kayaking, cycling, using the lifts for views, water sports and activities in the nearby lakes and rivers, mini golf, wine tasting and gastronomy, use of hotel facilities for conference tourism, concerts and festivals, highlighting of cultural monuments to be visited, offers of special educational activities for children and families, formation of sports and children’s camps, development of extreme sports and other sports activities (such as bungee jumping, parachuting, tennis, soccer, volleyball, horseback riding, archery, paintball, theme parks, climbing walls), development of mild outdoor activities (such as stargazing, wildlife watching), development of wellness services.
A typical case of a country where ski resorts are used in the summer season is the USA. According to research, it has been found that 44% of ski centers also operate during the summer months, thus leading to an increase in revenue. The most popular activity during the summer months is cycling (61%) while 30% of visitors use the ski lifts to enjoy the scenery and views.
It has been established, moreover, that in many ski resorts internationally at least one lift operates during the summer months and that some ski resorts receive more than 2.5 million visitors during the summer. The case of the Alps is typical as for 65% of visitors, hiking is the main activity during the summer months. At the same time, approximately 20 million overnight stays are recorded in the mountain areas of Switzerland during the summer. Similar are the findings regarding Austria. The distribution of overnight stays during the summer and winter months is equal, which reflects the increasing tendency of tourists to spend their holidays in mountain destinations.
