Hiking- and Mountaineering-Based Wellness Tourism Development in Greece: Towards a Related Regional Policy and Spatial Planning

Wellness tourism, mainly connected to meditation, thermal springs and spa resorts, is an emerging tourism sector. At the same time, contact with natural environments through physical exercise, hiking or walking in forests proves significantly positive in terms of stress reduction, relaxation, mental restoration and revitalization. In this framework, the unique natural landscapes of mountains, along with their plethora of local cultures, comprise important places for the development of wellness tourism based on hiking, mountaineering, forest bathing, yoga and Pilates practice. In view of this, an online study regarding 234 participants of hiking/mountaineering clubs and yoga/Pilates studios in northern Greece was conducted in 2022. In total, 16 clubs and studios participated in the questionnaire survey, with a random sample consisting of 68% women and 32% men. This study investigated the choices and preferences of people who visit mountains for hiking and mountaineering in Greece. The findings reveal that young people and especially women, who are well educated, engage dynamically in this male-dominated sector. Hiking and mountaineering appear to be habits of commitment and devotion rather than sporadic recreational activities; they are distributed throughout the year and hold strong potential for the sustainable development of peripheral mountainous communities. Relevant policies and spatial planning principles focusing on environmental and cultural responsibility, community involvement, gender inclusivity and diversity of target groups are further suggested to support the development of hiking- and mountaineering-based wellness tourism in mountainous Greece.