Professor, Department of Environment – University of the Aegean, Laboratory of Local and Island Development Aegean Sustainable Tourism Observatory

Ioannis Spilanis is economist, graduate of the University of Athens (1979). After postgraduate studies in “European and International Studies” at the University of Grenoble (France), obtained a PhD at the same university on “Tourism and regional development. The Greek case” at 1985. He worked at the Ministry of the Aegean as expert in regional development (1987-1990). He is Professor in the Department of Environment of the Aegean University and teaches in the Graduate Program “Planning, Management and Tourism Policy” in Chios. His research interests are in sustainable development issues focused on islands’ development and tourism planning. As member of the Laboratory of Local and Insular Development, he has participated in many articles, research projects and studies on these topics. Recent studies: “European Islands and Cohesion Policy” (EU/ESPON), «Towards an Observatory and a Quality label of tourism sustainability in the Mediterranean» (UNEP / MAP / Plan Bleu), the “Atlas of Islands” and “Insularity and Sustainability”. Mr I.Spilanis was General Secretary of Aegean and Island Policy at the Ministry of Marine and Aegean during July 2012 – July 2013.

Local and Insular Development Laboratory: www.llid.aegean.gr

Aegean Sustainable Tourism Observatory: www.tourismobservatory.gr

Topic: “Locality, quality and added value for sustainable tourism on sustainable islands: the case of Lesvos”