Kalymnos Island, SE Aegean Sea: From Fishing Sponges and Rock Climbing to Geotourism Perspective
The island of Kalymnos, located in the Dodecanese island complex in the SE Aegean, is known for its sponge fishing but also for its world-famous climbing fields. Indeed, the island is considered the “Mecca” of climbers. Nevertheless, Kalymnos is characterized by moderate tourist traffic and lack of...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-10-01
|
| Series: | Heritage |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/4/4/175 |
| _version_ | 1797504049725046784 |
|---|---|
| author | George Zafeiropoulos Hara Drinia |
| author_facet | George Zafeiropoulos Hara Drinia |
| author_sort | George Zafeiropoulos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The island of Kalymnos, located in the Dodecanese island complex in the SE Aegean, is known for its sponge fishing but also for its world-famous climbing fields. Indeed, the island is considered the “Mecca” of climbers. Nevertheless, Kalymnos is characterized by moderate tourist traffic and lack of tourism infrastructure. The planning and development of geotourism can be a driving force for the economic sustainability of the island. In this study, the possibility of developing the innovative and alternative form of geotourism on the island of Kalymnos is explored. Kalymnos is characterized by numerous caves and steep slopes which can be geotopes attractive to visitors. Six caverns and two climbing fields were analyzed as part of our investigation. For the quantitative assessment of the geosites three factors are considered: the potential educational use (PEU), the potential touristic use (PTU), and the degradation risk (DR). The quantitative evaluation in combination with a SWOT analysis showed that there is indeed a possibility of promotion and development of geotourism in combination with the protection of the island’s geotopes. This will give additional impetus to the economy of Kalymnos. However, the lack of awareness from local authorities and residents is evident. The need for training in matters related to the geological heritage is necessary. In this way, there will be geotourism development, contributing positively to the economic prosperity and sustainability of the island. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:59:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-08876ace84b34a108d47fd014ae9ea45 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-9408 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:59:06Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage |
| spelling | doaj.art-08876ace84b34a108d47fd014ae9ea452023-11-23T08:36:13ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082021-10-01443126314610.3390/heritage4040175Kalymnos Island, SE Aegean Sea: From Fishing Sponges and Rock Climbing to Geotourism PerspectiveGeorge Zafeiropoulos0Hara Drinia1Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, GreeceThe island of Kalymnos, located in the Dodecanese island complex in the SE Aegean, is known for its sponge fishing but also for its world-famous climbing fields. Indeed, the island is considered the “Mecca” of climbers. Nevertheless, Kalymnos is characterized by moderate tourist traffic and lack of tourism infrastructure. The planning and development of geotourism can be a driving force for the economic sustainability of the island. In this study, the possibility of developing the innovative and alternative form of geotourism on the island of Kalymnos is explored. Kalymnos is characterized by numerous caves and steep slopes which can be geotopes attractive to visitors. Six caverns and two climbing fields were analyzed as part of our investigation. For the quantitative assessment of the geosites three factors are considered: the potential educational use (PEU), the potential touristic use (PTU), and the degradation risk (DR). The quantitative evaluation in combination with a SWOT analysis showed that there is indeed a possibility of promotion and development of geotourism in combination with the protection of the island’s geotopes. This will give additional impetus to the economy of Kalymnos. However, the lack of awareness from local authorities and residents is evident. The need for training in matters related to the geological heritage is necessary. In this way, there will be geotourism development, contributing positively to the economic prosperity and sustainability of the island.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/4/4/175Kalymnos islandclimbing fieldscavesgeoheritagegeotourismevaluation |
| spellingShingle | George Zafeiropoulos Hara Drinia Kalymnos Island, SE Aegean Sea: From Fishing Sponges and Rock Climbing to Geotourism Perspective Heritage Kalymnos island climbing fields caves geoheritage geotourism evaluation |
| title | Kalymnos Island, SE Aegean Sea: From Fishing Sponges and Rock Climbing to Geotourism Perspective |
| title_full | Kalymnos Island, SE Aegean Sea: From Fishing Sponges and Rock Climbing to Geotourism Perspective |
| title_fullStr | Kalymnos Island, SE Aegean Sea: From Fishing Sponges and Rock Climbing to Geotourism Perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Kalymnos Island, SE Aegean Sea: From Fishing Sponges and Rock Climbing to Geotourism Perspective |
| title_short | Kalymnos Island, SE Aegean Sea: From Fishing Sponges and Rock Climbing to Geotourism Perspective |
| title_sort | kalymnos island se aegean sea from fishing sponges and rock climbing to geotourism perspective |
| topic | Kalymnos island climbing fields caves geoheritage geotourism evaluation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/4/4/175 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT georgezafeiropoulos kalymnosislandseaegeanseafromfishingspongesandrockclimbingtogeotourismperspective AT haradrinia kalymnosislandseaegeanseafromfishingspongesandrockclimbingtogeotourismperspective |