Mountains have constituted for man a place of mystery and the residence of gods since ancient times. That is a remaining fact even today due to the lack of easy access, the climate, the clean air, the special flora and fauna, the mountains' unique geomorphology, their water resources, their sole aesthetics and their particular natural and cultural environment. The related history and mythology have turned them into appealing tourist destinations. Mountain visitors seek both the contact with the natural and social environment but at the same time try to satisfy their need for escape from the daily routine. They also satisfy social and learning needs.
Greece is characterized mountainous as it possesses interesting mountains rich in vegetation and water resources with significant mythological and historical heritage. However, as tourist destinations they function seasonally and do not manage to attract a large number of visitors during the summer months. The reason is that Greece has always been identified with the triptych sun, sea, and beach.
With the aim to investigate the visitors' motives of the mountain tourism centers in Greece, a quantity survey has been conducted with the distribution of a structured questionnaire. The survey was conducted from 27/10/2016 to 27/12/2016 via internet and the questionnaire was filled in by 1.127 people.
From the survey it can be clearly concluded that the mountain tourism centers are required to provide many more activities and services apart from the sports skiing ones. The possibility to extend their operation beyond the winter and summer period exists, having as a result significant profits for the economy of the mountain regions.