The saltworks are fragile, semi-artificial ecosystems. Apart from their economic role as industrial places where salt is produced, they form very interesting wetlands, where various species of plants and animals can be observed. Many tourists are interested in these species and because of their great interest in nature and ecology they are called ecotourists. Furthermore, there are many scientists who make research on these species and their habitats.

Apart from their economic and ecological value, saltworks are very interesting places, for social and cultural reasons, since there are lots of myths and traditions related to their history. The natural, ecological and cultural characteristics of the salinas are the reasons for the development of various types of tourism. This kind of tourism is considered soft, since it does not destroy the environment, and also contributes to its protection. The salina’s environment (as a nature and tourist resource) should maintain its high quality to be attractive for the tourists and useful for the birds. Thus, tourism development should be controlled and, under the principles of sustainability, help to preserve the natural environment and the landscape.

The saltworks are places where various kinds of tourism can be developed. There are many soft forms of tourism, such as ecotourism, agrotourism, cultural, gastronomical, educational, walking, sport tourism, or even conference tourism, that can be developed in the saltworks.

Ecotourism is a special kind of tourism that is related to nature and the environment. Tourists, who are interested in nature, ecology and environment, visit the saltworks where they can learn about the wetlands and the special ecosystem that is formed in the salinas and watch the various bird species (flamingos, avocets, black-winged stilts etc) that gather at the same place. Ecotourism is related to nature and trekking tourism. Tourists spend most of the day around the saltworks, walking, in order to find interesting species. A well-organized network of paths and trails would help them in their tours. Hereby it is also easy to develop sport tourism. The paths can be used for mountain bike tours as well. The saltworks are often situated near the seashore. This could be exploited for the development of soft sea sports, such as rowing and sailing.

Another form of tourism, which could be related to the saltworks, is agrotourism. Tourists live in a farm, take part in the agricultural works and consume local products. There is also gastronomical tourism related to salt. The tourists taste traditional recipes, and at the same time they become aware of how salt is being used in each place. This type could be combined with cultural tourism. Festivals can be organized, where tourists can take part and learn about local foods, traditional music, dances and customs. In this way the tourists incorporate better with local life style.

The saltworks can offer a great opportunity for the development of educational tourism. Schools near the salinas, often organize excursions as part of their environmental education programme. The students watch the birds, visit the installations and learn how salt is being produced. There are also many studies that take place in the saltworks by university students, having to do with physical, chemical, or biological parameters. In the concept of educational tourism, conferences can be organized about salt, its uses and ways of production in locations where there are saltworks. However, for the development of conference tourism, there should be the appropriate installations (buildings, microphone and translation facilities).

The presence of a museum in the saltworks can play a great role in the better development of all these types of tourism. The tourists and the students can visit this museum throughout the year and learn about salt production, even if it is not the harvesting period, and watch the birds, even if it is not the breeding or migration period. Furthermore, they can learn about how salt was being produced and used in the past or in other countries and places.

Finally, it should be mentioned that there are a lot of volunteer groups and organizations that find salinas an interesting and alternative way of spending their holidays, while at the same time learn about traditional ways of salt production. For this purpose camping facilities should be established nearby the salinas, where volunteers will stay.

It is obvious that tourist development in the saltworks can offer a great opportunity for the local development, especially in places that are in decline. Apart from the economic development, new jobs can be created as well as new sources of income for the local people. The exploitation of saltworks for tourism purposes can also help in protecting the environment and offer a new alternative in the world’s tourism saturated market.

Lena Vayanni
The ALAS research team at the University of the Aegean, Lesvos