Botetzagias I. & Kostopoulos G. (2025). A national park for tourists or mountaineers?: Debating Mount Olympus in inter-war Greece. Journal of Tourism History, 1–18.
ABSTRACT
This article explores debate in interwar Greece surrounding designation of Mount Olympus as a national park, focusing on tensions between tourism and mountaineering. During the 1920s and 1930s, Mount Olympus, regarded as both a natural wonder and as a symbol of ancient Greek heritage, became the subject of intense public and state-level discussion. While tourism promoters sought to develop the mountain as a major destination for tourists, mountaineers advocated for the preservation of its rugged terrain for climbing and exploration. This article examines the key players in this debate, including government officials, local stakeholders, and the emerging Greek mountaineering community. It analyses how their differing visions for the mountain reflect broader national concerns about identity, heritage, and modernisation. Ultimately, this study highlights the complex interplay between tourism, conservation, and the cultural politics of place-making in early twentieth-century Greece, shedding light on the evolving relationship between natural landscapes, national goals, and societal priorities during the interwar period.
