Maria Tatsi

• M. BOTSIS
• V. PATRONIS
• I. POULIOS

The doctoral dissertation entitled “Protective and Expansionary Policies in International Tourism” examines tourism not merely as a leisure activity or a social phenomenon of increasing dynamism, but as a strategic domain for the exercise of public policy and geopolitical power. At the core of the present study lies the analysis of expansionary and protective policy frameworks.
Specifically, expansionary policies encompass strategies aimed at the internationalization of tourism, including bilateral and multilateral agreements, tourism diplomacy, international negotiations, investments in international markets, and the development of strong national tourism brands. In contrast, protective policies refer to the adoption of measures that restrict the entry or influence of foreign actors, with the objective of strengthening domestic markets and safeguarding economic and social stability. These policies are manifested through tariffs, quotas, regulatory barriers, health-related or geopolitical restrictions, as well as temporary prohibitions.
Furthermore, the dissertation examines the historical evolution of international tourism over recent decades, identifying three distinct periods: (a) the democratization of tourism (1950–1980), (b) the expansion of the tourism market and the consolidation of global accessibility (1990s), and (c) the maturity of the tourism phenomenon from 2001 onwards. In the contemporary era, globalization, technological advancement, and the reduction in transportation costs have strengthened international tourism, while simultaneously giving rise to new forms of protectionism in response to geopolitical and economic challenges.
The contribution of the dissertation lies in the integration of two fields that have been only limitedly examined in conjunction: international tourism and protective and expansionary policies. Through the systematic documentation and comparative analysis of these policy frameworks, the study seeks to highlight their impacts across economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions, as well as to clarify the role of tourism in shaping the global balance of power.
Therefore, the dissertation aspires to serve as a scientific tool for understanding the interaction between protective and expansionary policies in international tourism, highlighting both the opportunities and the challenges that arise from them. By examining these policies through the lens of contemporary international geopolitical developments, the research makes a substantial contribution to the international literature and offers valuable insights for the formulation of strategic policies at both national and international levels.