Greece Has High Hopes For Marine Tourism

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni

Understanding, social peace and responsibility between all parties are the three things needed for Greece’s marine tourism to get off the ground, according to Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni.

Mrs. Kefalogianni participated today, 28 May, in a session of the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum 2013 in Athens.

“Scenes of tired tourists at the country’s ports or of closed archaeological sites and museums must not be repeated in Greece,” the tourism minister said.

“Such scenes ruin the country’s image, give support to our competitors and demolish every effort that has been made lately,” she said.

The tourism minister assured the forum’s international shipping experts and Greek professionals that the Tourism Ministry was investing in the country’s cruise tourism product and that the Greek Government intends to change whatever held back the development of marine tourism for so many years.

“We seek for investments to be made in our country and we want foreign cruise ships to come to our ports,” Mrs. Kefalogianni said.

When referring to the ministry’s initiatives for the development of the cruise sector, she said the state would “do its part” to improve infrastructure. However, she called for municipalities to do the same.

“Athens can welcome thousands of cruise passengers”

In regards to the Greek capital’s role in the development of Greek cruise, Mrs. Kefalogianni said that although Athens’ problems were not yet solved, the city was slowly “finding its way.

“Athens is once again becoming a safe and friendly city that can welcome thousands of cruise ship passengers that come to Piraeus,” she said.

“Athens 2013 is in a much better place than Athens 2012. Things are changing for the better,” she added.