Tourism Ministry Proposes Slew of Actions to Improve Athens Center

Photo source: Region of Attica

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo: GTP

In a bid to reshape the image of Athens, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni presented a slew of proposed actions including the setting up of an Athens-Attica Tourism Observatory.

“Our goal is for Athens to become a metropolitan center for tourism at a European and global level and a strong and attractive city break destination,” Mrs. Kefalogianni said during an event held at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Mrs. Kefalogianni said that the Greek capital is included in a series of the Tourism Ministry’s initiatives aimed at reviving Greek tourism.

The proposed actions are based on an urban study titled “Upgrade Plan of Athens” and aim to facilitate the stay of visitors in the city and improve the quality of life for residents.

The plan, conducted by architect and city planner Dimitris Economou, focuses on actions that relate to public safety, the upgrade of the historical center and tourism development.

Dimitris Economou, architect and city planner. Photo © GTP

“This concerns tourists, residents and those who work in the city… These proposed interventions aim to tackle today’s problems that include issues of cleanliness, sidewalks, street signs, building facades, etc.,” Mr. Economou said while presenting the plan.

The proposed actions of the “Upgrade Plan of Athens” include the establishment of a system to detect problems in the city and alert the relevant authorities. Another measure involves the development of a policing program to combat delinquent behavior in areas most visited by tourists.

The upgrade plan also outlines a series of interventions aimed to improve the image of the city center and also proposes measures to boost the business center of Athens.