Μake us preferred on Google Alonnisos has been named one of the world’s 10 best destinations for responsible and sustainable tourism in 2027 by tour operator Intrepid Travel, ranking fifth on its “Intrepid Travel 2027 Not Hot List.”
Each year, the list features 10 lesser-known destinations around the world that have the capacity to welcome more visitors in a responsible and sustainable way.
Alonnisos was selected following an initiative by the Greek National Tourism Organization’s UK and Ireland office, working with the Municipality of Alonnisos to collect and submit data on visitor numbers and sustainability initiatives, as well as information about the island’s tourism and port infrastructure, connectivity, environmental programs and distinctive characteristics.
The “Not Hot List” initiative aims to direct travelers beyond destinations already under intense tourism pressure and toward places where tourism development can generate meaningful benefits for local communities, economies and cultures. Alonnisos is the only Greek and Mediterranean destination on the list, ranking fifth among the 10 selected destinations.
According to an official announcement, Alonnisos’ inclusion in the “2027 Not Hot List” represents significant international recognition for the destination. It also directly supports the Greek National Tourism Organization’s main strategic objectives, including promoting lesser-known Greek destinations, dispersing tourism demand geographically, strengthening sustainable and special-interest tourism, and presenting Greece as a destination offering diverse experiences beyond its established tourism hot spots.
Under Intrepid’s methodology, destinations are selected with input from the company’s international network of local staff and destination experts, together with independent research by travel trends forecasting agency Globetrender.
Destinations are assessed according to three main criteria:
- Lower visitor numbers than comparable destinations
- Readiness for sustainable tourism development
- New initiatives, infrastructure, improved connectivity or other developments that provide compelling reasons to visit in 2027
Responsible Island Tourism
Intrepid presents Alonnisos as a leading example of responsible island tourism, noting that the island is home to the National Marine Park of Alonnisos and the Northern Sporades, described as Europe’s largest marine protected area, and highlighting its work to protect the Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus.
It also highlights the island’s diving tourism and the Underwater Museum of the Peristera shipwreck; Alonnisos’ participation as one of five pilot islands in the LIFE CEI Greece program, which includes initiatives involving the circular economy, recycling, biowaste management, desalination and the use of renewable energy sources; and its pioneering campaign to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags.
Intrepid describes Alonnisos overall as a strong example of how Mediterranean islands can pursue tourism development without adopting a mass-tourism model.
Source: In.gr
