摘要：AbstractDestination competitiveness has become a significant objective of a region's business development and tourism growth. For insular areas, an efficient maritime connection is acknowledged to be of critical importance for their competitiveness. This paper explores the competitiveness and/or the complementarity of the ferry connection of the two ports of the island of Chios (port of Chios and port of Mesta). The research aims at quantifying the demand of the ferry connections between Piraeus-Chios and Lavrio-Mesta, accounting for passenger's point of view. The willingness of the inhabitants and tourists to use the Lavrio-Mesta route is modelled. Advanced Stated Preferences scenarios for collecting data are employed. Analysis of the Revealed Preferences data shows that current users are not satisfied with the facilities, services and the infrastructure of Mesta's port. Model estimations, based on the Stated Preferences data, demonstrate that the driving time from Chios city to Mesta and the ferry timetable are the main factors affecting users to choose the Mesta-Lavrio ferry connection.
