The Mediterranean, sunny climate gives plenty of opportunity for a philosophical mood, especially in the early part of a summer afternoon, after a glass of vino, which as we all know contains veritas - particularly the red variety. So, I was thinking...how difficult would it be for a municipality to create, own and operate free hotels? Imagine that there would not be any private hotels and that the laws of 'free competition' and the sort, would not forbid it. Accommodation would be free, as long as guests spent a minimum amount of time in the village, and purchased a minimum amount of traditional, locally-made products (rather than tacky imported souvenirs) dined in restaurants, again all owned and cooperatively operated by the municipality. The municipality would determine, each year, through direct democratic procedures, the number of visitors they would like to host, so that they would not overrun the village. You would end up with a successful, community-owned, low-impact, democratically decided tourism. Scary, totalitarian or ultra democratic? Practical or utopian? At least in remote places where tourism has not yet arrived, may be it is worth trying this recipe, even as a diversion from the usual neoliberal recipes which aim to 'introduce the entrepreneurial spirit' everywhere and commercialise everything.

& something related:

The youth section of the Ecologists-Greens of Greece, along with the Iliosporoi and the Athens Art Puzzle networks are organising a "self-organised" non-commercial holiday in the municipal camping of Samothraki island (northern Aegean), 12-21 July 2009, for "activists, artists, educators, researchers, travelers, local bio producers, thematic campaigns, local initiatives, citizen groups, collectives, and any interested individual with a common interest in ecology, human relations and art." Participants will be expected to assist with duties such as cleaning (with biodegradable detergents) and (organic) cooking as well as organise & participate in workshops. There will also be a dedicated space for children, which will be entertained by volunteers.

Details: http://www.samothrakiecocamp.blogspot.com/