The Nexus Between Agriculture and Tourism in the Island of Crete, Greece

Abstract

The relationship between agriculture and tourism in the island of Crete, Greece has been studied. Both agriculture and the tourism industry contribute more than 50% in the Gross Domestic Product of the island. The linkages between agriculture and tourism in many tourism-dominated communities and rural areas worldwide have been reviewed. The current status of agriculture and the tourism industry in Crete has been examined as well as the agro-tourism development in the island during the last few decades which is considered a typical example of agriculture-tourism cooperation. The healthy tasty Cretan diet is based on locally produced food ingredients and it is famous all over the world. Therefore, it could be further promoted by the tourism industry in the island. Increased use of local gastronomy could improve the competitiveness of the Cretan tourism industry which is currently based on mass tourism and the “sea, sun and sand” model. This could be a springboard to the local agricultural production of the island to partly cover the demand for catering in the tourism industry. Various new policies and measures are required for increasing the linkages in these two sectors. The use of locally produced agricultural products would replace foodstuff transported to the island from long distances, reducing the carbon emissions due to their transportation. Strengthening the linkages between agriculture and tourism in Crete would trigger growth in both sectors, offering many economic, social and environmental benefits to the island.