Sustainable Tourism Observatory To Open In South Aegean Region

An observatory on sustainable tourism will be set up in the South Aegean Region to provide all the necessary data to boost growth in Greece, a press release by the Greek Tourism Ministry said. Sustainable tourism observatories gather and report data on the environmental impact of tourism to provide input for sustainable tourism policies.

“The establishment of a sustainable tourism observatory is a useful development tool for Greek tourism bodies and society,” the general secretary of tourism, Anastasios Liaskos, said during the signing of the protocol for its establishment that took place today, Wednesday, 5 February, on Rhodes.

Also present at the signing was Luigi Cabrini, UNWTO Director of Sustainable Development of Tourism; Paris Tsartas, rector of the University of the Aegean; Yiannis Mahairidis, regional governor of the South Aegean Region; and Yiannis Spilanis, general secretary of the Aegean and Island Policy Ministry.

“We must preserve this fragile product called ‘tourism’ and showcase all its aspects, as it deserves. It’s up to us, now that our country needs it,” Mr. Liaskos said.

According to the ministry’s press release, the forthcoming sustainable tourism observatory will contribute to the modernization of the tourism product and leave a low carbon tourism footprint on the Greek islands.