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Interreg IIIC SusSET Conference
Greece – 10 – 14 May 2006
Towns participating:
Greece – Pyrgos, Messologhie, Aeghio
Sweden – Amal, Stromstad, Kungalv
Poland – Lebork, Puck
Scotland – Stonehaven, Ellon, Inverurie
Towns visited:
Pyrgos – including tour
Messologhie – including detailed tour
Aeghio
Pyrgos
The town has a population of some 35,000 and is a service centre for the surrounding rural area. The municipality has 41 elected members and delivers services via 18 municipal departments.
The town’s economy relied on its transport links and the raisin industry from the 19th Century onwards and the nearby port of Katacolo was developed at this time. The relative standard of living was high and this led to the development of impressive neo-classical buildings in the town centre. Today agriculture accounts for 57% of the local economy although tourism is important in the town and at Katacolo, nearby. Main products are cotton, corn, olives and oil, citrus fruits, melons and raisins. Exports are mainly to Italy.
The town is the nearest settlement to the ancient site of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic tradition. The site once housed the great temple and statue of Zeus, which were amongst the seven wonders of the ancient world. The ruins are well preserved and receive up to 8 million visitors annually. This increases to some 20m in Olympic years. Our visit was definitely a highlight as was the traditional cultural evening in the Olympic village. It is unclear, however, if the Pyrgos manages to redirect the many coach visitors into the town as well and some steps might be taken to do this.
The town has invested in youth and culture, also, with an Olympic education centre, municipal camp of hospitality and traditional dance and theatre companies. The town centre and built heritage have been improved in recent years, which makes the town centre an attractive location for visitors and residents, alike.
The main joint conference sessions were held here. The first session by the Greek towns established the background to each and the socio-economic and political influences. The delegations of the partner towns then met to discuss the SusSET themes in more detail. Our partner towns are Stromstad, Sweden and Messologhi, Greece. Leba from Poland has had to withdraw from the project, although it is hoped the new partner town of Hel will be confirmed shortly.
This workshop was too short to cover all the project themes, which was disappointing. The main focus, therefore, was on tourism and a common theme of the sea, its impact and the related landscape was quickly identified. Each town could point to radical changes in traditional industries e.g. fishing, the opportunities presented from tourism and the amount of development work still needed. It was generally agreed that each town needed to understand whom its customers are, their needs and what could be done to satisfy those needs. No town is identical, but each has something to offer the visitor. Whilst it seems hard at times to identify truly unique features for each town to exploit it suggests to me that the quality of the overall “package” is paramount. It needs to be well presented alongside excellent service standards and it really helps if the whole community can be engaged in representing their town to best effect. The unique features can add value to the package but not replace these common factors.
Some issues for consideration, included need for more visitor information, training, involving volunteers, including the young, in some aspects of town presentation.
The town’s location near to Olympia could be used to good effect – “Pyrgos – the Olympic city”, for instance?
Messologhie
The town is separated from Pyrgos and Aeghio by the Gulf of Corinth and until recently this would have meant relative isolation despite all being in the Western Region of Greece, because of the difficult transport links. However, a new and impressive road bridge at Patras now connects the two halves of the region and will, no doubt, stimulate economic and social benefits. It was partly funded by the EU.
The population is 18,000 and it is the equivalent of a county town, like Stonehaven. The town is built on a series of lagoons and is one of the main salt producing areas in Greece (850,00 tonnes p.a. or 75% of national output) and a prolific fish farming area. The lagoons are the subject of an impressive EU marine conservation and management project Agriculture takes the form of cotton, olives, citruses and corn. The area is famed for the quality of its olive oil, sea bass and eels.
However, it is the town’s history and the fight for Greek independence that seems to dominate the local scene. The town endured two sieges in the 1820’s and a mass evacuation or “Exodus” that decimated the population. This is celebrated in the many heroic pictures in the art gallery and the community takes great pride in the towns leading role, which has been recognised by being awarded “sacred town” status. Lord Byron died here and the local Garden of Heroes records the sacrifices made by him and other international supporters. The Garden is a small delight of mature Mediterranean trees in a tranquil setting as much as a memorial park. Perhaps more can be made of this and more celebration of the international reognition by using national flags etc. at the entrance and on marketing information. It may be difficult for overseas visitors to feel as engaged in the town’s sacrifices otherwise.
Today the creation of the first phase of a University campus has placed pressure on housing supply when added to natural growth. This is very much a working town as well as a tourism centre. Modern output includes fresh and frozen, and processed, cotton, fish, oil, salt, marble, dyes and animal feeds. The nearest beach is about 5 km away, which creates some difficulty in tourism terms, however, the biodiversity of the lagoons offers a real opportunity for wildlife and green tourism if this can be developed and promoted sensitively. The new picnic & BBQ facilities are good and could be more widely promoted and replicated nearby. A study for establishing a “lagoon development strategy” was not seen but would be helpful.
There has been some past regeneration work undertaken in the town in the form of a lagoon-side road, land reclamation and boulevard, and hotel. The town centre includes an attractive square and streets and there are many cafes and restaurants selling good quality food at reasonable prices. It is important, however, to continue the investment in the lagoon area, as opportunities arise, as visitor expectations increase constantly and a whole town strategy should take this into account. For example, some of the land alongside the lagoon road is very visible and undeveloped and this detracts from the other improvements. The town has developed its own cycle way, marina and has a small airfield. The lagoon footpath is incomplete and should be finished as far as the beach area and adjoining tavernas. Activity tourism is catered for including paragliding, kayaking, and climbing in the mountains nearby. The small beach, would have greater potential if generally tidied up. This is the sort of thing that in Stonehaven has been undertaken by the community on a regular basis and comes within “civic pride”.
We visited a number of museums and the ruined Roman baths that provide interesting short stops around the town. The approach to the Roman Baths was on a winding rural road and only appeared to be signposted from one direction. A small car park for say, 2/3 vehicles would be useful here. One mystery is the lack of a tourist information centre in the town. This closed some years ago and there is a need for an alternative solution. Given the number of municipal buildings e.g. the museums, these could provide a basic service subject to some visitor guide information being provided and staff training.
The generosity and friendliness of our hosts cannot be faulted and this must be one of the town’s great strengths along with the quality of its local food. The evening music festival in our honour was lively with many young people in evidence. With so many young in the town, it is difficult to understand why young people do not seem engaged in local decision-making and any future engagement of the community in helping with the town’s development e.g. tourism, should make this a priority. For example through building links in the schools and University.
Aeghio
The very full timetable permitted only the briefest stop here for the conclusion of the Conference although the scenery is stunning. Again it is very much an agricultural area producing cotton, raisins and wine and has led in developing organic production.
Other conference subjects
The position statements on the themes being pursued by the lead town s were thorough, but it was disappointing that the timetable provided little opportunity to discuss practical examples about these and best and worst practice in more detail and this can be addressed by encouraging the individual towns to work with their partners for more intensive workshops.
Conclusion
The timetable was challenging and it was disappointing not to see more of the local business issues covered. The setting is beautiful and the lagoons at Messologhie are a very distinct feature. However, it also causes careful thought about one’s own town and recognition of some of the good points we tend to take for granted e.g. landscape, harbour, investment made too date etc., as well as the lessons to be learnt. In Stonehaven, we are fortunate to have an involved community covering the likes of Stonehaven it’s Special. Horizon, Business Association, Open Air Pool, Community Council and many more and the spirit of collaboration between these groups. We all face a challenge in engaging young people more in the respective community’s, and development, and in enthusing all residents with a role in promoting their town and welcoming visitors.
Lessons – there were a few…
· Unique selling points may be important in promoting each town, but all seem to be relatively small issues. Perhaps even more important is the quality and presentation of each town’s overall “package” and this quality must be kept consistently high and linked to the best in customer service. The training & motivation of staff in delivering excellent customer service is a constant need and should be more widely available and encouraged.
· Each town needs to understand who its customers are, their needs and not only meet those needs fully, but also exceed what is expected of them. This must underpin strategies developed for each town.
· Information for tourists is essential to maximise the quality of their stay or visit. This may call for innovative solutions where traditional support structures fail and the whole community has a vital role to play alongside. Some simple tourism signage is recommended, also.
· Young people need to be more involved in local decisions and town promotion, and this probably starts from home and in the local schools.
· Lagoons offer another form of tourism and business development opportunity e.g. eco-tourism, but only if handled sensitively in terms of conservation, habitat etc.
· Take a fresh look at established visitor attractions and adjust to meet changing customer expectations.
· Encourage tourism business to reinvest and underline the financial advantages of doing so.
· The Greek towns do not have the same support structures as in Scotland and maybe we take these for granted.
· Local produce and healthy eating has a powerful international message these days.
· Involving all sections of the community in town development and promotion e.g. young people is a challenge all the towns face.
· The need for greater discipline in developing and delivering the themes of the project and a firm focus on the practical measures and examples of best practice.
Robert Armstrong
23 May 2006
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