Perceived impacts of tourism

Abstract

This study investigates the impacts of tourism, as perceived by the residents of Pythagorion, a well-established tourism destination on the Greek island of Samos. Interviews conducted with heads of households revealed that residents not only supported the current magnitude of the tourism industry but also favored its expansion. Despite this, the respondents identified a number of negative tourism impacts, which, in their opinion, affected the town. These impacts included high prices, drug addiction, vandalism, brawls, sexual harassment and crimes. The study reconfirmed that those respondents who were economically dependent on tourism had more positive attitudes towards the industry than those who were not dependent on it.