EFFICIENCY OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AS A PRECONDITION FOR THE REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ISLANDS

Antonio DEKANIĆ

PhD, Assistant, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, Rijeka, Croatia

antonio.dekanic@efri.uniri.hr

Marinela KRSTINIĆ NIŽIĆ

PhD, Full Professor, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Opatija,Croatia

marikn@fthm.hr

Christos Ap. LADIAS

PhD, Professor, Regional Science Inquiry Journal, Greece

Ladias@rsijournal.eu

Abstract

The waste management system on the islands is complex and does not involve a traditional municipal service, mainly due to the strong seasonality of tourism, limited space and regional differences. Wastemanagement is a big challengefor tourist destinations during the tourist season, when there is a significant influx of tourists, which results in larger amounts of waste. Theaim of this paper is to exploretheir views through qualitativeresearch through in-depth interviews with representatives or waste management experts in the utility companies oftheCroatianislands. Thepurposeoftheresearchis to expand theunderstanding and explore the principles of waste management on the islands in Croatia and evaluate their effectiveness. The authors analyze the established waste management systems and, using in-depth interviews, examine whether effective waste management can make the island sustainable. This is one of the few pieces of research on the topic of waste management in terms of sustainabletourism development, which refers to island utility companies in Croatia that deal with waste management. Theconducted research is focused on theCroatian islands, but the model is more widely applicable. It is expected that the results of the research will contribute to political decision makers, decision makers in utility companies and managers, creators of measures and regulations regarding waste management, representatives of municipalities and cities of island tourist destinations.

Keywords: Regional sustainability, waste management, development, Croatian islands,

JEL classification: Q01, Q56, R11

pp. 73-94

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GRADUALLY SHIFTING THE NATIONAL PRODUCTION MODEL’S CENTER OF GRAVITY: INVESTING IN REGIONAL COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES FOR DEMOGRAPHIC RESTRUCTURING

Theodoros DIMOPOULOS

Researscher, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly

tdimopoulos@uth.gr

Aristi TSOKANI

Researscher, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly

atsokani@uth.gr

Christos GENITSAROPOULOS

Post-doctoral Researcher, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly

cgenits@uth.gr

Georgios XANTHOS

Associate Professor, Department of Business Administration & Tourism, School of Management and Economics Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University

xanthosg@hmu.gr

Angeliki MENEGAKI

Professor, Department of Business Administration & Tourism, School of Management and Economics Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University

amenegaki@hmu.gr

Eleni KAPRELI

Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly

ekapreli@uth.gr

Nikolaos STRIMPAKOS

Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly

nikstrimp@uth.gr

Abstract

Greece records an extremely negative performance in terms of balance between birth and death rates while existing data highlight a clear imbalance regarding population outflow. The paper intends to portray the demographic trajectory both at an EU and at a national level, coupled with providing at a certain extend insights about relevant projections. Additionally, the paper emphasizes on the case of Fthiotida (a Regional Unity falling within the Region of Central Greece) and the depopulation recorded between 2011-2021, while it describes Central Greece’s current tourism performance and its impact in terms of economic indicators. Taking those into consideration the paper’s initial purpose is to provide various insights to promote current public discourse on the necessity of the effective utilization of the region’s natural thermal resources as a mean that may result in attracting investments related to tourism industry, creating sustainable and well-paid health-related jobs, and subsequently build the foundations of curtailing demographic vaporization taking place in the forementioned area. The methodological approach adopted is related to the review and content analysis of current literature, subsequent inputs included in institutional reports, data derived by official documentation and high institutional level interventions taken place within the public discourse. The paper concludes to the well-founded assumption that exploiting Fthiotida’s natural resources in terms of thermal/hot springs, as a complementary component, may contribute to the creation of an integrated tourism product, able to support regional economy, enforce the argument of gradual shifting the country’s productive model center of gravity, starting from certain sectors which are able to thrive in Greek regions, and establish conditions that may put a curb on population bloodletting.

Keywords: demography, tourism, economic growth, Greece, Fthiotida

pp. 51-72

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HOW DOES GLOBAL AND LOCAL CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS INFLUENCE TOURISTS’ WILLINGNESS TO CONTRIBUTE TO ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS?

Angeliki, N. MENEGAKI

Department of Business Administration and Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Crete, GREECE

amenegaki@hmu.gr

Can Tansel TUGCU

Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Akdeniz University, TURKIYE,

cantanseltugcu@akdeniz.edu.tr

Abstract

Our study investigates the influence of both global and local climate change awareness on tourists’ willingness to contribute, either financially or through time donations, to climate change mitigation efforts. Drawing on survey data from 650 respondents, the findings indicate that global awareness significantly enhances tourists’ propensity to take action, whereas local awareness exerts no statistically significant effect. Tourists who recognize the global dimensions of climate change are more inclined to support environmental initiatives within their home country. These results suggest that promoting a broader, global understanding of environmental issues is more effective in fostering pro-environmental behavior among tourists than focusing on localized impacts. The implications for policymakers and the tourism sector are clear: public awareness campaigns and interventions should emphasize global environmental awareness to promote sustainable tourism. Specifically, integrating global climate education into tourism programs and providing accessible, cost-effective options for sustainable practices can help translate tourists’ willingness into tangible action.

Keywords: Climate change, sustainable tourism, willingness to pay, global and local impacts, Structural Equation Modelling

JEL classification: Q01, Q54, Q56, Z32

pp. 37-49

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