Zakynthos

Reimagining Tourism in a Changing Climate 

Zakynthos is more than just a tourist destination—it's a thriving community where tradition meets modernity 

But beneath its beauty, the island faces growing challenges as it navigates the impacts of climate change

A Bird’s - Eye View of Zakynthos



Zakynthos, the third-largest island in the Ionian Sea, is a land of captivating landscapes and cultural heritage.

Home to 40,759 residents, the island transforms every summer as waves of tourists swell its population

Zakynthos Climate Story

Various types of accommodation, restaurants, and recreational businesses, serve as the heart of Zakynthos' tourism industry, which is the economic driving force of the island. While tourism thrives, the island's primary sector - supported by olive oil, raisins, and wine production — have steadily declined.

Climate change is reshaping this dynamic route further. Rising temperatures, decreased rainfall, coastal erosion, sea level rise, water shortage, risk for wildfires are some manifestations of climate change, that put pressure on livelihoods, important socio-economic uses, such as tourism, and unique ecosystems.

Zakynthos hosts the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ) well known as one of the most important rookeries of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta in the Mediterranean.  The Park along with the western coast of the island is part of the European Natura 2000 network. Zakynthos hosts four protected areas of the Natura 2000 network.

As Zakynthos and its growing tourism industry face climate change reality, the need to follow a more resilient path through cooperation and sustainable practices seems crucial to safeguard Zakynthos' natural beauty and future prosperity.

Luckily...

There are ways of adapting

PRO-CLIMATE


Projects such as Pro-Climate aim to develop effective responses based on behavioral change towards climate change adaptation


Living Lab Zakynthos

Living Lab Zakynthos emerges as a space where the local community takes action and various actors such as the local authority, the tourism industry and related interested parties, civil society organizations, locals and experts come together to design practices that respond to climate change adaptation.

It is a pioneering initiative where local stakeholders collaborate to ensure that tourism remains both prosperous and sustainable, putting the emphasis on social transformation and behavioural change. 

By integrating innovation, science, and community-driven action, we are setting the foundation for a tourism model that adapts and evolves towards a resilient path. 

Zakynthos’ tourism sector has the potential to adapt to climate change by achieving behavioral shifts, and this is the perfect moment to take thoughtful, strategic steps towards that goal.

PRO-CLIMATE

Living Lab Zakynthos

Co-OpAbility Institute

Co-opAbility Institute

Photo/video Credits

Zakynthos_Photographs
Mavra Stithou

Living Lab Zakynthos_Photographs/videos
Elli Vougiouka

Zakynthos_videos
(in order of appearance)
Frank Litschel
Tetyana Sadko
John Kostopoulos