Key Actions For Effective Greek Tourism Policy Announced

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni referred to key actions for a unified and effective tourism policy during her speech on the strategic plan for the country’s tourism development at the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce 23rd annual conference “The Greek Economy: State Reform-The Cornerstone for Investment and Development,” held yesterday, 4 December.

According to Mrs. Kefalogianni, a permanent Committee of Secretaries Generals is currently under planning to address bureaucracy in tourism at the highest level.

The Tourism Ministry also plans to establish a committee to tackle tourism misdeeds in the Greek regions. Each committee would be under the chairmanship of each region’s respective vice governor.

In addition, the tourism minister announced collaboration with the Ministry of Public Order to restructure the Greek tourist police.

In regards to the special zoning plan for tourism, the ministry has made a proposal to the Ministry of Environment for the new classification of the national land. The proposal refers to adjusting mountainous islands and areas with special characteristics with areas that are developed, under development and destined for specific alternative tourism use.

The tourism ministry’s proposals also include the creation of new hotels with shared ownership as well as incentives for the closing down of old accommodation units.

The ministry is also looking into the possibility of establishing timeshare* complex tourist accommodation and introducing condo hotels.

Moreover, with the support of NSRF funds, the ministry is promoting the regeneration of the Faliro bay.

* A timeshare is a property with a particular form of ownership or use rights.