Title: Crafting a policy framework of indicators and quality standards for rural tourism management

Authors: Maria Partalidou, Olga Iakovidou

Addresses: Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Economics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 232, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Economics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 232, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract: The lack of a national quality policy framework for rural tourism in Greece led to setting standards according to personal experiences and different definitions of quality. This paper makes a contribution by acknowledging what rural tourism quality should be, in terms of the most important quality indicators evaluated according to visitors| norms. Study findings show that quality is safeguarded when standards for leisure activities are met and localities are protected. Using this framework, managers can balance high demands and pursue excellence and decision-makers can establish policies for better planning and management of quality in rural tourism.

Keywords: rural tourism; quality standards; quality indicators; quality management; policy implications; Greece; tourism policy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2008.019276

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2008 Vol.1 No.4, pp.353 - 367

Published online: 06 Jul 2008 *

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