Independent Tourism Ministry Re-Established

New Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni (center) addresses the media during a handover ceremony in late June. She took the helm of the new tourism ministry from caretaker culture and tourism minister Tatiana Karapanagioti (right).

Following the parliamentary elections on 17 June that were marked by the creation of a three-party coalition government, new Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras announced the re-establishment of an independent Tourism Ministry.

During a handover ceremony in late June, new Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni stressed the importance of the ministry’s independence (since 2009 and until the elections, tourism was merged with the culture portfolio) for the national economy, the strengthening of GDP and the creation of new jobs.

The re-establishment of the tourism ministry was a long-standing demand of Greek tourism professionals.

According to reports, as far back as 1914, Greek tourism was connected to other ministries while the first independent Tourism Ministry was established in 1989. It was then re-established in 1993, 2004 and once again this year, 2012.

Mrs. Kefalogianni is roughly the 50th person placed to lead the specific sector in the last 20 years.