This study aims to provide a better understanding on cruise travel experience by studying cruise ship passengers motivation, satisfaction and likelihood of return to the port of Heraklion (Crete, Greece). From the fi ndings, it is evident that 'exploration' and 'escape' were among the main motivations of visitors, and 'product and services' as well as 'tour pace' were signifi cant dimensions in shaping overall satisfaction levels. Nevertheless, onshore activities were restricted to sightseeing and shopping, because of the limited available time. Based on these fi ndings, relevant proposals are made in order to provide positive port experiences.

Increasing competition in the European Union (EU) and world markets affects the Greek manufacturing sector. Capital structure is essential for the survival, growth and performance of a firm. There has been a growing interest worldwide in identifying the factors associated with debt leverage. However, nothing has been done so far in contrasting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and large sized enterprises (LSEs) on these aspects. SMEs are very important in the Greek manufacturing sector for employment and growth. Empirical studies show that capital structure and the factors affecting it vary with firm size. In this paper we investigate the determinants of capital structure of Greek manufacturing firms and formulate some policy implications that may improve the financial performance of the sector. Our study utilizes panel data of two random samples, one for SMEs and another for LSEs. The findings show that profitability is a major determinant of capital structure for both size groups. However, efficient assets management and assets growth are found essential for the debt structure of LSEs as opposed to efficiency of current assets, size, sales growth and high fixed assets, which were found to affect substantially the credibility of SMEs. In an era of increasing globalization, the findings imply that Greek SMEs should focus their efforts on (a) increasing their cash flow capacity through better assets management and achievement of higher exports and (b) ensuring good bank relations, but at the same time, turn to alternative forms of financing. Greek LSEs should adopt strategies that will lead to the improvement of their competitiveness and securing new forms of financing. Government policy measures aiming at structural changes and economic efficiency should be designed clearly depending upon its targets: SMEs need policies that will encourage information exchange and co-operation in local and foreign markets and use of e-business, as well as, financial assistance. On the other hand, LSEs should be supported by policies aimed at new high-technology investments, entrance of new firms and foreign investments in the country, tax alleviation and increase of R&D and training expenditures. The upgrading and transparency of the capital market in Greece is expected to improve the capital structure of Greek manufacturing firms.Capital structure, industry study, manufacturing, dynamic panel data, non-linear regression analysis,

(JEL El, Fg3, C33)

Tourist satisfaction has been considered as a tool for increasing destination competitiveness. In an attempt to gain a better understanding of tourists' satisfaction in an island mass destination this study has taken Crete as a case with the aim to identify the underlying dimensions of tourists' satisfaction, to investigate whether tourists could be grouped into distinct segments and to examine the significant difference between the segments and sociodemographic and travel arrangement characteristics. A segmentation procedure based on destination dimensions produced three clusters: the 'HigherSatisfied'; the 'In-Betweeners'; and the 'Lower-Satisfied'. The implications and the conclusions of the study are provided in relation to the marketing of the island of Crete in the future.

No abstract

This paper examines the effects of Exchange Rate Volatility on tourist flows into Turkey for the period of 1994~2012. Our results show that (i) there is a negative relationship between exchange rate volatility and tourist inflows into Turkey; (ii) there is a negative impact of the relative price ratio on the tourist flows indicating that relatively expensive places deter tourist arrivals, given the keen international competition among alternative destinations; (iii) GDP per capita at tourist origin, measured in Purchasing Power Parities, exerts positive influence on tourist flows. Our findings thus, suggest some direct policy implications: first, policy makers of a tourist destination country aiming to target potential markets for their tourist products, should, in principle, avoid markets prone to exchange rate volatility due to political and social upheavals or financial instability. Moreover, countries relying heavily on their tourism industry, should avoid using exchange rate policies for other policy objectives like international price competiveness, as these policies may end up to an exchange rate volatility that could reduce its tourism inflows substantially in the longer run. JEL classifications: F41, L83

This paper examines job construction and destruction patterns in Greek manufacturing for the period 1995–99, just before Greece's entry to the European Monetary Union (EMU). The analysis uses descriptive statistics and regression models and is performed on a longitudinal sample of 6164 firms, classified by size of employment and by manufacturing sector. The results show the dynamic role small‐ and medium‐sized firms play in net employment creation in Greek manufacturing. High technology and capital‐intensive manufacturing sectors contribute mostly to net employment growth. Age of the firm is adversely connected to employment growth, while export activity and location of firms contribute significantly in net job creation. Significant determinants to employment growth are firm size, age, profitability, sales growth, reliance on debt and investment in new fixed assets. Economic policy measures are suggested to promote the establishment and survival of new small manufacturing firms, and the growth of the surviving ones.

The aim of this paper is twofold; first, to identify the variables that mostly affect rapid sales growth in Greek manufacturing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs); second, to examine the potential influence upon business growth and performance outcomes of those variables representing enterprise and financial management characteristics of the Greek SMEs. The study utilizes panel data of a random sample of 143 firms from the manufacturing SMEs sector in Greece. Regression analysis is used to determine the explanatory factors of rapid sales growth. This paper is firstly addressing the Greek case and our results are in line with the findings of other empirical studies in the European Union (EU), thus, supporting the convergence hypothesis among member states in EU. Indeed, factors found to influence significantly manufacturing SMEs growth in Greece are profitability, liquidity, reliance on long-term debt, employee productivity, fixed