In the context of the course "Regional Policy and Tourism", which was assigned to me by the Department of Public Administration of the Panteion University, after a dialogue with my students, I decided to deal more generally with the essence and historical evolution of the tourism phenomenon.

I wanted to investigate the historical data and provide a comprehensive chronological overview of the formation and evolutionary course of tourism in various countries, from its first appearance in 1500 BC until today.

In this monograph, I also examine the conceptual content and nature of tourism, the reasons that motivate people to visit various tourist destinations, and the overall tourism phenomenon.

During my research, I found that there are many factors - economic, psychological, political, social - that have contributed to the formation and development of tourism worldwide. I also observed that the beginning of the spectacular development of tourism internationally coincides with the reconstruction of Europe after the destructive consequences of World War II. In recent times, thanks to improvements in working conditions and wages, the increase in per capita income, the impressive development of technology, the rise in the educational level of people, the improvement and expansion of transportation means, as well as the technological advancement of mass media, the miracle of rapid development of tourism enterprises and tourism in general has occurred.

A large part of this work also refers to the distinction of the various forms of tourism and the development of alternative forms of it.

Another finding of my study is that the development of tourism in a place, which until a few years ago had exclusively economic consequences, usually positive, has now created conditions for us to argue that tourism is a social phenomenon with broader dimensions and many diverse effects, both positive and negative.

Finally, as is natural, special attention is given to the appearance, development, and evolution of tourism in Greece, as well as the manifested concern and awareness for the inclusion of tourism under state protection and monitoring, as well as the organizational framework concerning tourism in Greece in general.

In conclusion, with this brief introduction, I express the hope that the goal of my work will be achieved, that is, to contribute, to the best of my abilities, both generally to the presentation and investigation of the tourism phenomenon, and to the provision of a basic teaching aid to my students, as well as to those directly or indirectly involved in tourism.

MARO VENETSANOPOULOU