The Global Youth Tourism According to the recent survey of WYSE travel Confederation youth has been moved from its original location and is now consid

Transcription

1 European Social Tourism Forum:workshop The causes of non departure on holidays of youngsters in Europe THE BENEFITS OF YOUTH TOURISM DURING THE ECONOMIC CRISIS CASE STUDY : GREECE GREEK NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION JOULIA KOUREMENOU DIRECTOR OF STUDIES AND INVESTEMENTS OCTOBER

2 The Global Youth Tourism According to the recent survey of WYSE travel Confederation youth has been moved from its original location and is now considered to be an important factor in the tourism industry. In a period full of changes, the development of youth tourism has a crucial impact at the overall economy. It is known that young people think beyond the established framework, push situations to the limits and experiment with anything new. The youth tourism is a vital resource for innovation and change in mindset in today's tourism. It is estimated that 190 million young tourists have travelled the last decade from one country to the other and by 2020 this number will reach 320 million young tourists. The youth tourism can offer career development opportunities in the future economic growth of countries by having the tourism as an important base. 2

3 WHAT THE SURVEY SHOWS 1. Young people spend more days in a destination from other tourists 2. When they stay satisfied, come back and explore other places nearby. 3. Several times they spend more money than other tourists. 4. They are not discouraged by terrorism or political unrest in a destination they want to visit 5. They are pioneers in discovering new destinations. 6. They earn cultural benefits and contribute to the places they visit. 3

4 WHAT THE SURVEY SHOWS (2) 1. Young tourists consider traveling as : A chance of education A way to communicate with other people A brilliant way to contact with the other civilizations and develop their spirit. 2. The economic value of traveling for young people has its own character in the tourism market. they travel more and more they are also fascinated by areas not visited by traditional tourists. 4

5 THE CURRENT CRISIS AFFECTS YOUNG PEOPLE The economic crisis affects negatively or positively young tourists. Some negative points are: unemployment marginalization aggression violence immigration However there are many positive elements (for example: gain experience, knowledge,contact with the local life etc) that could and should be taken into account by countries, such as to give perspective to young people in the tourism field which is an important source of revenue to the strengthening and the development of the economy. 5

6 THE POLICIES OF YOUTH IN GREECE The responsible body in Greece for adopting youth policy and implementing youth policy is the General Secretariat for Youth (G.S.Y) of the Ministry Education and Religious Affairs. 2. The G.S.Y annually prepares the National Report on Youth Policy in Greece and submits it to the European Knowledge Centre for the Youth Policy. 3. Although a National Strategy for Youth has not been adopted yet there are different programs and activities carried out by individual state actors,which are either specialized in this age group (13-30) 30) or they include it. 4. It is obvious that a Single Policy Framework for Youth should be created based on cross- pectoral collaboration between the involved state actors. 6

7 THE POLICIES OF YOUTH IN GREECE (2) A study was conducted with 90 questionnaires to young people from two scientists E. Paraskevakis, P. Dionysopoulou, «Tourism and Youth: Case study of Youth in Action Programme», for the 2012 Athens Tourism Symposium- International Scientific Congress on Current Trends in Tourism Management and Tourism Policy, on 15-16/2/2012, ISBN: , reports: Youth tourism is a growing segment of international tourism. What is the relationship between being a tourist and altering one s concept about foreign people and cultures. Since the stereotypes are formed from very young ages, so it s important to try and dissolve them while people are still young. 7

8 THE POLICIES OF YOUTH IN GREECE (3) The above study was held with the help of a European Union Program, called Youth in Action, that involves youngsters from EU and some bordering countries. The main focus will be youngsters that participated in a sub-action of the YiA Programme, Action 1.1, commonly known as Youth Exchanges. 1. YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAM It is active since 2007 until 2013 and implemented by the General Secretariat for Youth. It aims mainly to make youth in the European Union active citizens and promote their participation in common issues. Youth in Action has a total budget of 885 million Euros. 8

9 YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAM The main priorities of that program are: European Citizenship: Raise awareness in young people that they are citizens of Europe, as well as citizens of their own countries. Participation of young people: Promote and support young people s involvement in democratic life, spurring them on to be active citizens who care about their communities and understand the value of representative democracy. Cultural diversity: Respect people s cultural origins and fight racism and xenophobia. Inclusion: Young people with fewer opportunities get access to the Youth in Action programe. 9

10 YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAM For the 2012, the annual priorities were: environmental awareness healthy behaviours creativity and entrepreneurship This Program had a lot of different actions that include: democratic initiatives voluntary service youth exchanges 10

11 YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAM The annual priorites for (2013) are: strengthening European citizenship encouraging youth participation in European elections 2014 enhance the mobility of young unemployed tackling poverty and marginalization strengthening the spirit of initiative creativity and entrepreneurship Many of the costs of the project are covered by the National Agencies through EU funding, such as 70% of the travelling costs of the participants and 100% of the accommodation and food costs. 11

12 YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAM This project has a theme (relevant to the permanent priorities of the Program) and it has a detailed schedule for its duration, which normally is about 8-10 days The total number of participants and organizers are around 40 youngsters in total. Meet and exchange ideas and opinions about the countries and culture. Through activities that draw together, interact and know each other Age of participants: Possible topics being discussed : immigration and fighting ing of poverty unemployment using art to integrate people with fewer opportunities environmental awareness 12

13 VOLUNTEER TOURISM The second policy is «VOLUNTEER TOURISM» The General Secretariat for Youth, provides information and finances the national participation for the volunteer tourism as well. A. In 2009 and 2010 G.S.Y implemented the project "Holiday and Volunteering" in collaboration with GNTO and specifically with the the Directorate of Studies and Investment. - The goal of this program was the staffing of information GNTO offices with young volunteers that would offer time, energy and knowledge to people and visitors asking information on various regions of the country. - The voluntaries received a daily allowance of 40 euros for part of the costs of accommodation, food and transfer - This initiative had a great success and gave the opportunity to young people for active participation and a potential role in voluntary. 13

14 VOLUNTEER TOURISM (2) B. Advantages of the initiative: - highlight the role of new supply utilities - strengthening of volunteering as another way of life - experimentation and personal fulfillmentllment - upgrade the services provided by public sector 14

15 EUROPEAN YOUTH CARD The "European Youth Card" is European project carried out by the Foundation for Youth and Lifelong Learning in cooperation with the General Secretariat for Youth. The "European Youth Card" is a discount card that aimes at young people aged years and offers cardholders discounts on specific products and services, both in Greece and in 37 other countries of Europe. In Greece, the active members touches 14,000 and 800 partner enterprises and institutions. In our country young people who are cardholders have access to discounts of products and services in various fields such as education, tourism, culture, retail, catering, transportation and health services. 15

16 EUROPEAN YOUTH CARD (2) This program in cooperation with the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, incorporates constantly accommodation network of partners. Currently has more than 140 hotels and apartments across the country. In August 2013, it launched a new network of partnerships in maritime transport with a leading shipping company, the Minoan Lines ANE, providing a more integrated and economic package of holiday to young people with reduced ferry tickets. The goal through the implementation of the program is to offer a new tool to facilitate the everyday lives of youngsters and give them access to important areas of economic activity and social life. Especially in this period of economic recession, we believe that this program takes on even greater social dimension, as the young are hit first by the economic crisis and have significantly changed the allocation of money. 16

17 The "European Capital of Youth 2014 The "European Capital of Youth" is a title that a capital is awarded with for a year in a European city that presents programs of actions, ideas, proposals and cooperation for the youth at local, national and European level. This program encourages the application of new ideas and innovative programs, promoting the active participation of young people in society, and seeks to present a model for the further development of policies relating to youth in other European municipalities The city of Thessaloniki won the title of "European Capital of Youth" with the presentation of a program, to which they contributed more than 800 volunteers and 44 organization All the actions have been designed for young people in Thessaloniki, Greece and Europe as well. In recent years, the city has hosted major cultural events worldwide, has large museums, numerous art galleries, large theatrical agencies and other smaller theatre groups. Thessaloniki seeks to become a European focus of innovation,culture and tradition participation development and policy for Youth 17

18 PROMOTING YOUTH TOURISM.. The attraction of young people from other countries of Europe in this difficult economic situation faced by Greece, will give a boost to the economy and our tourism and will give the opportunity to young people beyond the participation in youth activities and events to experience the beauty and cultural heritage of our country. The new legislative framework for the creation of Youth Hostels has been created by the Ministry of Tourism,both for new construction as well as for modifications to existing hotel accommodation. The hostel accommodations will be accessible by students,student s teachers, teachers,visiting professors and visiting researchers. 18

19 PROMOTING YOUTH TOURISM.. The Youth tourism provides the possibility for multiple daily effects between tourists and hosts the creation of different socio-cultural cultural events and therein lies the great advantage. Greece has begun preparing for the implementation of actions that in the year 2014 will reap economic benefits, but mainly will achieve the country s visibility as a tourist destination for young people. We have reduced credits but we start to redesign the youth programs or any other programs in more targeted groups of tourists. For all these reasons : We believe we need to plan new youth programs with the help of the European Union in order to give career development opportunities and motivation to young people. We consider them to be a vital entity since they are the motivation for the utilization of our programs and a substantial support for the overcoming of the economic crisis. 19

20 Thank you for your attention 20