The paper focuses on the sustainable tourism development of Kythera, highlighting the specific and alternative forms of tourism that can enhance the local economy without harming the environment and society. A central point is the promotion of sustainable tourism practices, with emphasis on ecotourism, cultural tourism, agrotourism and sports tourism.

Ecotourism focuses on exploring nature with respect for the environment and includes activities such as hiking and birdwatching. Cultural tourism highlights local history and culture through visits to historical monuments and participation in cultural events. Agrotourism promotes the participation of visitors in rural activities, offering experiences such as harvesting products and tasting local flavours. Sports tourism focuses on activities such as hiking, climbing and water sports, making the most of the island's natural environment.

The research examines the importance of Kythera's historical and cultural heritage for tourism development, such as the Venetian Castle in Chora. Through the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis, opportunities and challenges for the sustainable development of tourism on the island are identified. The mixed methodological approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, ensures the reliability of the data, while ethical issues such as the privacy of the participants are addressed.

The results of the survey demonstrate that Kythera has significant potential for the development of sustainable forms of tourism that can benefit the local economy while protecting the environment and cultural heritage. It is proposed to strengthen infrastructure, raise awareness among the community and visitors, and promote tourism activities such as hiking and wine tourism, which respect and enhance the natural beauty and cultural wealth of the island. The proposals of the study aim at a balanced and long-term sustainable tourism development for Kythera.