Kos: Turning into a pole of attraction for quality alternative tourism

Kos, famous as the birthplace of the father of medicine Hippocrates, is a jewel of the Dodecanese and one of the largest, most classic and most reliable tourist destinations in Greece, for foreign tourists from all over the world. An island at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, rich in natural environment, history and monuments, is today at a turning point, as its tourism and development model is changing.

As the mayor of Kos, Theodosis Nikitaras, told state news agency AMNA: “We live in a place that brings together unique natural and cultural features, history, monuments, traditions and creative human potential. The sufficient elements to open new paths, in the difficult era of global competition”. As he points out, now the goal for Kos is to “strengthen alternative forms of tourism – marine, cycling, culinary, health, etc. – that enrich the local economy and activate our society”.

New model

In particular, as Mr. Nikitaras says, speaking to AMNA, “we are worried about the limits of mass tourism. The model we followed causes imbalance, it does not ensure sustainable development. Signs of saturation are becoming more and more apparent. We are looking for ways out, a new development model. It does not mean that mass tourism will stop or that we will stop needing it. But a new standard, with a strong production base, which will remove the consequences of monoculture and contribute to sustainable development, is a priority.”

For Mr. Nikitaras, issues such as the “Carrying Capacity” of the island, spatial planning, the protection of the natural and built environment, climate change and its influence on the island ecosystem, the management of water resources and others, constitute the major challenges.

“A lot is changing at a high speed. We have to run too, not to fall behind. This applies to our country, our municipality and the business community. That is why we are asking the State for support, but also for clear policies, which will liberate the Local Self-Government, activate the creative forces”.

Mr. Nikitaras points out that “decades of public and private investment have created unprecedented economic growth. Throughout time, the pathologies of the State and insularity remain an adversary. As the Municipality of Kos, we have taken great steps towards the development of our island. We can do a lot more, as long as the State changes its course and starts treating the Local Government as a development institution, which can activate local forces and is not just a part of the public administration”.

In particular, as the mayor of the island points out, as the Municipality of Kos, even in today’s conditions, we contribute to solving problems even where the State does not want or cannot. For example, in the field of public health, although we do not have jurisdiction. We grant a monthly cash allowance of up to 450 euros, to up to 12 assistant doctors or rural doctors, as an incentive to choose our island hospital. At the same time, we granted a property, with an area of 34,600 square meters, for the construction of a new Hospital”.

“Our island is in a maturing phase. Basic infrastructure has been completed but developments are creating new needs. We design the quality features we need to make it stand out in the global community. After all, we citizens of Kos feel a great burden and a historical obligation. To preserve and spread the Hippocratic principles”, concludes Mr. Nikitaras.

As the island’s Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Sevi Vlachos, says: “This bet is not won overnight. It’s not a sprint but a marathon. Kos is changing day by day, with the exploitation of its wealth-producing sources, the implementation of sustainable mobility, the control of traffic congestion, the creation of new cycling paths and parking areas, the improved water and electricity supply, the long-term waste management for reduction and recycling. We want and can protect the environment and support the smooth functioning of local society, highlight the elements of our local culture. To adopt alternative forms of tourism compatible with our island. The incomparable beauties, the unique hospitality and the authenticity of the tourist experience is the Kos that we have a duty to preserve as the apple of our eye. Now is the time.”