Pavlopetri, the World’s Oldest Submerged City: Analysis of Dive Tourism Perspectives Development in the Region Through S. W. O. T Analysis

Abstract

Greece is considered to be one of the most popular worldwide tourism destinations, since it is ranked in the 15th position of the world host countries for the year 2015. Despite the industry’s dynamism, inherent weaknesses of Greek tourism products, such as seasonality, geographical distribution, saturation of popular island areas and tourist products single cultivation, are an obstacle to the areas’ sustainable development. Repositioning of Greek tourism in the international market may take place by utilizing alternative forms of thematic tourism. Scuba diving as an alternative tourism form may be a relevant and a decisive development factor and may offer the advantage of innovation by creating new tourism products. In this current study the development prospects of diving tourism through the creation of a diving center in Peloponnese’s Pavlopetri, the oldest submerged city in the world, have expanded. The prehistoric city of the Early Bronze Age can highlight the area as a new tourism destination and win the attributed share of the market. For imprinting the current situation and for developing a strategic plan, S. W. O. T. Analysis was conducted, which is considered to be a tool that analyzes the internal and external environment and reflects to the potential strengths and weaknesses of Pavlopetri as well as the opportunities and potential threats that exist in the tourism industry environment in the wider region of Peloponnese. Furthermore, interviews of the areas’ institutional and professional authorities support the opinion that there could be multiple benefits from the sustainable development of the region, through the creation of a thematic diving park, the protection of remarkable prehistoric characteristics and through the promotion of the cultural heritage. In conclusion, it is supported that as the global market continuously seeks differentiated tourism products, the Peloponnese region can become a quality tourism destination, highlighting different ways of tourism approach through scuba diving and sports recreation activities.