20°C
The Almiros Spring, despite being one of the largest in terms of water volume in the Balkans, presents an intriguing paradox. Situated at the northeastern edge of Mount Psiloritis, just a short distance from the sea and the city of Heraklion, it pours the most significant amount of water in Crete directly into the sea. Its waters are brackish due to an underground mixing with seawater. Two primary sources contribute to its flow.
Psiloritis mountain range and its plateaus, such as Nida, serve as crucial sources. Water from these areas can reach the spring within an astonishingly short nine-hour period during winter. Additionally, water from the surrounding mountains also contributes to the spring’s flow. The majority of the water originates from the sinkholes of Psiloritis, where it flows through underground rivers and caves before reaching the spring at great depths. At this point, a significant fault line, known as the Tylissos-Krousonas fault, acts as a barrier, causing the water to rise to the surface, already mixed with seawater.
The geosite description is a result of the deliverable of the research project Joint Innovative Activities for Outdoor Tourism-JoinOut. The project entitled “Partnership of Innovative Rural Tourism Actions” and distinctive title: “JoInOuT”, is implemented within the framework of the Action “Cooperative Innovation Formations/SCC” – 2nd Call: Businesses” and is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by National Resources in the context of the Operational Program “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPANEK)” of the NSRF 2014-2020″ (Project code: ΓΓ2CL-0359457).
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For the Rural Greece accessibility is fundamental to enhancing an inclusive tourism experience. Following the principles of inclusion and equality, the epaithros Rural Tourism Network and its member businesses are constantly working to enhance the tourism services provided, ensuring that all visitors have the opportunity to experience the authentic beauty of the Greek countryside.
Sustainability in tourism refers to a way of developing tourism that respects and protects the environment while strengthening the local economy and preserving cultural traditions. The aim of sustainable tourism is to provide unique and authentic experiences for visitors without harming the natural and social environment, while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism activity.
This type of tourism is based on three pillars:
With sustainable tourism, visitors can have authentic experiences, knowing that the impact of tourism on the region is positive and lasting for future generations.
For Rural Greece, localism is one of the most important factors for the development of sustainable tourism, as it promotes a strong link between the tourism product and the local society, economy and culture. Through localism, visitors get the opportunity to explore authentic elements of the destination, such as local products, traditions and culture. This not only boosts the local economy, but also helps to sustain and strengthen local businesses, creating new jobs and supporting the development of local communities.
Furthermore, localism contributes to the sustainability of the tourism sector, as it reduces the use of resources from other regions and encourages the use of local goods and services, reducing the ecological footprint of tourism activities. Thus, integrating localism into tourism practices enhances sustainability awareness, both among visitors and local businesses, creating a more responsible and sustainable tourism destination.
