Tourism - in particular its determinants and effects - is an issue presently attracting much attention worldwide. International tourism is considered to be the largest single item of the world's foreign trade and for some countries it is the most important export industry and earner of foreign exchange. In addition to its economic significance, tourism contributes to the quality of life. It produces intangible benefits which are directly related to the physical and psychological health of people, and the enjoyment of the right to rest and free time. This applies with equal validity to both domestic and international tourism; the latter establishing international economic, political and socio-cultural links, as well as strengthening the domestic character of a nation. At the individual level, tourism satisfies the need to travel in search for relief from the stress of work and the routine of daily life in the big urban centres. At macro (country) level, tourism is, therefore, a human and economic activity which concerns most of us in many parts of the world, directly or indirectly. One country for which foreign tourism is of considerable importance is Greece. In order to identify likely supply constraints (e. g. tourist accommodation and basic infrastructure) and to establish the major market segments of Greek tourism, the growth and structure of foreign tourism in Greece between 1960 and 1984 is examined. Special attention is given to the magnitude of tourism in Greece and its economic effects on the national economy. The non-economic effects of tourism are also considered. This is followed by the construction of a tourist profile so that the types of foreign visitors that go to Greece are identified. Subsequently, an econometric model is developed and empirical results provided to explain foreign tourist arrivals in Greece and to assess the impact of promotional expenditure by the Greek National Tourist Organisation in a number of foreign tourist generating markets. Finally, a tourism marketing planning model is devised which highlights the main variables affecting the international tourism marketing policies of the Greek National Tourist Organisation and, in particular, empirical results are used in conjunction with- a tourism market choice matrix for selecting market targeting strategies. The major conclusion emerging from the research is that as the tourist industry in Greece is of vital importance, the adoption of a strategic, interdisciplinary and integrated tourism planning process along with the establishment of a tactically orientated task unit could provide important improvements in the effectiveness and contribution of tourism in Greece. A few proposals regarding future policies by the Greek authorities are made, such as the establishment of a co-ordinating body orchestrating the efforts of the appropriate groups relevant to the multifaceted nature of tourism.

Events and attractions can bring visitors and have economic impact and significance in the local areas. The measure and estimate of the economic impact and significance becomes a big concern for the organizers, governments and local residents. This study assessed the economic significance and impact of the Volleyball Hall of Fame and its related events in October 2009, and furthermore it examined its charitable impressions. The study first examined the demographic background of the visitors, and then followed the basic economic impact and significance assessment process proposed by Crompton and Stynes. The locals, casuals and time-switchers were identified, and then the study assessed the economic contributions in two dimensions: (1) the economic significance assessment including all the visitors, and (2) the typical economic impact assessment excluding the locals, casuals and time-switchers, and applied a conservative multiplier. Group sizes and the lengths of the stay were also examined to determine how they may also relate to the economic significance and impact assessment. Additionally the study assessed the charitable impressions by the visitors through a set of Likert scaled statements. The study found that, although the Volleyball Hall of Fame is a small-scale attraction, it did generate an economic contribution to the local community. Furthermore visitors had strong awareness of, and supported the Volleyball Hall of Fame’s participation in the non-profit charitable events, and the charitable impressions were identified as possible means to promote visitors' willingness to donate to the Volleyball Hall of Fame.

Tourism - in particular its determinants and effects - is an issue presently attracting much attention worldwide. International tourism is considered to be the largest single item of the world's foreign trade and for some countries it is the most important export industry and earner of foreign exchange. In addition to its economic significance, tourism contributes to the quality of life. It produces intangible benefits which are directly related to the physical and psychological health of people, and the enjoyment of the right to rest and free time. This applies with equal validity to both domestic and international tourism; the latter establishing international economic, political and socio-cultural links, as well as strengthening the domestic character of a nation. At the individual level, tourism satisfies the need to travel in search for relief from the stress of work and the routine of daily life in the big urban centres. At macro (country) level, tourism is, therefore, a human and economic activity which concerns most of us in many parts of the world, directly or indirectly. One country for which foreign tourism is of considerable importance is Greece. In order to identify likely supply constraints (e. g. tourist accommodation and basic infrastructure) and to establish the major market segments of Greek tourism, the growth and structure of foreign tourism in Greece between 1960 and 1984 is examined. Special attention is given to the magnitude of tourism in Greece and its economic effects on the national economy. The non-economic effects of tourism are also considered. This is followed by the construction of a tourist profile so that the types of foreign visitors that go to Greece are identified. Subsequently, an econometric model is developed and empirical results provided to explain foreign tourist arrivals in Greece and to assess the impact of promotional expenditure by the Greek National Tourist Organisation in a number of foreign tourist generating markets. Finally, a tourism marketing planning model is devised which highlights the main variables affecting the international tourism marketing policies of the Greek National Tourist Organisation and, in particular, empirical results are used in conjunction with- a tourism market choice matrix for selecting market targeting strategies. The major conclusion emerging from the research is that as the tourist industry in Greece is of vital importance, the adoption of a strategic, interdisciplinary and integrated tourism planning process along with the establishment of a tactically orientated task unit could provide important improvements in the effectiveness and contribution of tourism in Greece. A few proposals regarding future policies by the Greek authorities are made, such as the establishment of a co-ordinating body orchestrating the efforts of the appropriate groups relevant to the multifaceted nature of tourism. / Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

The economic level of the individual states, the community and the global economy depends on reliable activity and the results of individual economic sectors and subsectors, including all participants in this process. From the entire spectrum of economic sectors the energy sector has been selected as the most important and critical infrastructure in the Czech Republic, the EU, and in the world. The selected energy sector subdivides into other subsectors: electricity, natural gas and oil. The work deals with the analysis of the above mentioned sectors, their fundamentals, stocks, consumption, equipment, resources, entities, price developments and potential risks. The aim of the work is to analyse the state of the energy resources in the Czech Republic, the EU, and in the world, including current and potential threats, to which the key infrastructures have to face.