ΤΠΣ ΔΗΜΟΥ ΚΥΘΗΡΩΝ

Scenario 2 - Albert&Anita

We are in favor of Scenario 2, the mild development option, with its emphasis on safeguarding the natural and cultural environment. We have a few observations to share.

The challenges faced by Kythira are common to many smaller Greek islands. Our annual winter visits to various islands, where we speak with residents and business owners, confirm this. Aside from the larger islands, we consistently hear similar concerns: transportation difficulties, a short tourist season, a lack of young people, and limited housing options for public service employees, etc.

Kythira shares these challenges with the other islands, but it also possesses unique qualities and huge potential, particularly for tourism. Its untouched nature is a rare find. The island offers diverse landscapes, amazing traditional architecture, numerous villages, attractive beaches, and a lack of mass tourism. The hiking trails are extensive and can easily compete with the most beautiful trails we have seen elsewhere in Greece. We believe focusing on preserving and enhancing these assets is the key. This foundation allows us to position Kythira as a distinctive and environmentally unique destination.
The KIPA, the Enchorios, the Municipality, and the population all have an important role in this process. With more cooperation and help from volunteers, a lot can be achieved.

Here are some thoughts:

Focus on small-scale businesses: To support the island's economy, we should prioritize local entrepreneurs and family businesses. This could involve encouraging smaller-scale establishments and limiting the presence of large, external corporations (like hotel and restaurant chains, all-inclusive resorts, golf resorts, etc.). For example, we might consider setting guidelines on the size of hotels, perhaps with a maximum number of rooms or beds (for instance, 30 rooms or 100 beds). Similar considerations could apply to the number of hotels a single company can operate on the island. Building height restrictions, such as a two-story limit, could also be explored to maintain the island's character.

Focus on cooperation and work together as a community on many points. Ensure that there are always (This sentence seems unfinished. Perhaps you could elaborate on what should always be ensured?)

Creating a Help Desk for tourists: We think existing air and ferry services provide a reasonably good basis for year-round transport to and from the island. We could explore potential areas for improvement without necessarily requiring significant investment. Extending the runway, for example, is not a primary need. For visitors, the current travel options, whether by plane from Athens or by ferry from different locations, are often considered part of the island experience.

However, we can certainly enhance the travel experience. Tourists often need assistance, and if this isn't readily available, they might choose simpler destinations. To encourage travel to Kythira, we often make Travel Proposals for our guests, encompassing international flights, stopovers in Athens or on the mainland, and various transport options to the island (flights, ferries, rental cars).

A dedicated tourist help desk could be a valuable asset. The local travel agents could manage this service, generating income in the process. Accommodations could then direct their guests to the help desk. This would be particularly beneficial for those unfamiliar with travel to Kythira or for those facing unexpected disruptions such as missed connections or weather-related cancellations. The help desk could provide solutions, including liaising with Athens hotels and arranging airport transfers.

Protecting and improving the traditional villages: Kythira's traditional villages, such as Aroniadika, Pitsinades, Mylopotamos, Logothetianika, Chora, and Kastrisianika, possess a unique charm and offer great potential for small-scale rural tourism. A village like Aroniadika, for example, could become a destination similar to Monemvasia.

Preserving their character is key. We should be mindful of the impact of modern interventions. For instance, replacing existing less-attractive paving with traditional cobblestones, providing designated parking areas just outside the village centers, and installing appropriate street lighting that minimizes light pollution could enhance the village atmosphere. Creating car-free zones within the oldest parts of the villages would also be beneficial. Supporting a few small, locally owned businesses such as art shops, wine bars, and mezedes bars within these villages could further contribute to a positive tourist experience.

Marketing the right tourists for the shoulder season: Attracting visitors outside the peak summer season requires a focused approach. While the summer months draw a certain type of tourist, the shoulder seasons (early April to mid-June and September to late October) present an opportunity to welcome a different demographic. This group might be described as mature travelers, typically aged 30+, without children, who appreciate activities such as hiking, cycling, agrotourism, and other outdoor pursuits. They also enjoy occasional beach days and prefer comfortable, ideally traditional, accommodations – neither budget nor luxury – where spending a day indoors is not a hardship. Their interests include archaeological sites, caves, and fresh local cuisine served in smaller, authentic restaurants.

Reaching this target audience requires more than simply attending travel fairs (which in itself is certainly a good initiative). We need to explore more effective and collaborative marketing strategies to showcase Kythira as a distinctive green destination. Crucially, ensuring a positive experience for these visitors means maintaining suitable accommodations, a good selection of open restaurants (which ensures that visitors, even during the off-season, can always find nearby dining), accessible and well-maintained archaeological sites and caves with readily available information, and clear, up-to-date hiking trails. This will require a combined effort from the local travel agents, the Municipality, KIPA, and local volunteers. Collaboration will be key to success.

Creating an online information platform: A useful initiative could be an online platform connecting workforce supply and demand on the island and listing (temporary) rental housing opportunities. This would be helpful for both personnel for seasonal summer jobs and more permanent positions, such as those at the hospital or schools.

The same platform could also serve as a central information hub for residents. For example, it could include practical details about waste recycling, such as guidelines, bin and container locations, and collection schedules.

We could also publicize smaller community projects, allowing volunteers to contribute. These might include activities like roadside and beach cleanups.

Create an (international) hospitality training school on the island: This could be a valuable addition to the island and potentially boost activity and provide a source of skilled hospitality professionals. We've observed a similar successful model on a small Dutch island.

Water use: Seawater desalination and deep well extraction of fossil water are not considered long-term sustainable solutions. Exploring rainwater harvesting and retention within the landscape could be a valuable approach. Simple, cost-effective solutions based on permaculture principles offer potential for groundwater recharge, and the island's geology is suitable for such methods. There are examples of successful water table restoration in significantly drier regions, even desert areas.

Regarding swimming pools, some form of regulation might be considered. This could include restrictions on pool placement, perhaps limiting them to coastal zones, capping the number of pools per area, or exploring options like public pools or potentially higher taxes for private pools.