FUNDING AND INVESTMENTS FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES IN PAROS ISLAND

Abstract

Tourism development in a destination may be achieved under specific conditions and circumstances which include sufficient destination accessibility and connectivity. This paper aims to highlight the contribution of funding and investments for tourism development related to the destination’s transport infrastructure focusing on air services. Paros Island is the study case since it presents high interest due to recent funding and investments actions towards air transport sector. More specifically, Public Service Obligation (PSO) route Athens-Paros and local airport expansion, partially funded by the private sector investment action, are of high interest. Research methodology includes a secondary research of passenger traffic and hotel beds. Moreover, a primary research has been undertaken with personal interviews of tourism stakeholders of Paros Island regarding funding and investments on air services and destination’s tourism development. Findings indicate that indeed air traffic flows have been significantly increased and so does tourism figures of the island.