North Sporades

North Sporades are an archipelago along the east coast of Greece, in the Aegean Sea. They consist of 24 islands, with more popular being Alonnisos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Skyros. In the context of Toural, the respective pilot region is composed of 2 small & remote rural islands (Skopelos, Alonnisos) and an urban one (Skiathos). They served as a nautical route through pre-historic times (i.e. numerus wrecks & pre-historic settlements in the region). 

Skiathos is urbanised and well-developed touristically (although with short season), with an airport, big hotels, plentiful of tourism services (resto, bars, night life). Skopelos is less touristic, more rural & remote, ideal for family vocations; the village is declared as a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO. Alonnisos is even more rural & remote, and is the centre for the biggest Marine Protected area in the MED Sea, dedicated to the protection of the seal monachus monachus. In the area there are a lot of ancient shipwrecks accessible to tourists, either through diving or via the dry-dive VR App in the fully operational KAC. 

Economy in the 3 islands depends on fisheries, agriculture and tourism. Cultural Science Tourism is popular in the region, with several social engagement/citizen science campaigns attracting the interest of visiting tourists & local communities.