Impact Assessment of a National Park Under the Auspices of Unesco

Abstract

Crete features many protected areas of exceptional natural beauty that attract thousands of visitors every season. Many local enterprises count on that touristic activity to increase their revenues. One of the most important and well known protected areas of Crete is the Samaria National Park. It was established in 1962 and since then it has earned various international distinctions. The aim of this study is to quantify the economic effects of the visitations at the Samaria National Park, on the whole region of Chania and to identify the profile of the visitor.