A recent study by the Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development has highlighted key challenges facing Greek museums and archaeological sites.
The findings were presented by cultural management expert Maria Fasoula at the 39th Philoxenia International Tourism Expo called “Experience. Culture.
Everywhere. – Connecting the Dots.” Notably, the study revealed a sharp contrast in visitor numbers.
For example, the island of Spinalonga saw a 35% increase in visitors after featuring in a popular TV show, while over 200 Greek archaeological sites and museums face extremely low footfall, with some sites receiving as few as 6,000 visitors annually.
Factors contributing to this include poor visibility and underdeveloped infrastructure, such as the lack of public transport in many regions.
Additionally, 78% of archaeological sites and 35% of museums are located in areas without reliable transport connections.
The research also uncovered severe staffing shortages, with 17% of sites operating only seasonally, and many sites lacking a digital presence.
The findings emphasize the need for investment in cultural tourism marketing and infrastructure