August 23, 2011 11:41:41 AM EEST
Hi everybody!
Spiros called me yesterday and told me about this forum. Here's a short introduction of what I believe should be done in Corfu:
Corfu (as we all know!) is one of the most beautiful islands of Greece and was popular for vacations among wealthy Europeans more than a hundred years ago. In the 1960’s and 1970’s the tourism boom really began and tourism to Corfu continued to increase steadily until the end of the century. This touristic development brought a lot of wealth to the island and its inhabitants but, on the downside, also destroyed some of the most beautiful spots of the island and threatens to destroy the rest, due to the greed of many and the lack of planning and regulation.
Fortunately, more and more people are realizing that the old model of sun, sea, sand and sex is not working any more. You can get all those things at other places for a cheaper price and with much better service! What Corfu does have and is unique is its environment, natural, cultural and historical. What we need to do is first of all protect the environment and the unique nature and landscape of Corfu, and develop alternative modes of tourism that promote rather than destroy the beauty of the island. Corfu with its evergreen countryside is ideal for walking, cycling and horse riding. Also, more and more people come to Corfu to meditate, or to spend their holidays at an organic farm. People can visit wineries and oil presses to experience how local products were (and sometime still are) made.
These are only some of the things we should be promoting!
Last year I launched a website called Green Corfu (www.greencorfu.com) that aims to get together all kinds of efforts in the direction of sustainable, alternative tourism and local products, as well as info, photos and videos of the natural beauty of the island and anything else that fits in this philosophy.
Please have a look at the website and tell me what you think. I would really like to work together with likewise minded people towards another kind of tourism on Corfu