Minister Presents Tourism Omnibus Bill For Growth

The time period for the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) to grant licenses for Greek tourist accommodation will be reduced from 240 days to 60 days, according to arrangements contained in an omnibus bill presented in late December 2011 by Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos.

Mr. Yeroulanos explained that once a businessman submits a dossier to the GNTO for approval, he would receive a temporary operating seal and can begin operation.

GNTO services would then have to make checks within a specific time period.

Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos (third from left) has estimated that, according to the new omnibus bill, the average time needed to obtain a license for a new tourist accommodation would now be a year and a half (as opposed to the some four years needed until now).

In addition, a single seal would be given to businesses for the licensing of a tourist accommodation, the establishment and operation of sanitary facilities and swimming pools.

The omnibus bill also will see to the creation of an electronic information registry on Greek marinas in regards to their location, change of location and permit operation.

In addition, the bill establishes the framework for the development of rural tourism while also clarified are agritourism, wine tourism and fishing tourism.

The omnibus bill also includes special tax and social security arrangements for farmers that provide agritourism services and for fishermen that provide fishing tourism services.