Integrated resort development: the case of Cavo Sidero, Crete

Many governments have encouraged integrated resort development in an attempt to improve the well-being of the local population by generating jobs and increasing income and because of the easier control of tourism activities within their boundaries. However, most research reports various adverse environmental and social impacts. Due to the difficulty to assess the impacts that may result from the construction of an integrated resort, the majority of research has been conducted after their construction. This study is an impact assessment carried out prior to a large scale development aiming to examine whether an integrated resort proposed for development in Cavo Sidero, Crete, will result in positive impacts to the destination and the local community and to investigate whether any conflicting interests have arisen within stakeholder groups. Through a primary research of various stakeholder groups it is revealed that economic impacts are perceived as mostly positive, while social and environmental impacts, in many cases, are viewed as negative, and that conflicting interests have arisen within different stakeholder groups.