Privatization of Greek Marinas on Government’s Agenda

Stergios Pitsiorlas, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy and Development

The Greek government will support the growth of sea tourism in Greece through a series of measures that include the privatization of marinas in Alimos, Chios, Argostoli and Kalamaria through the concession model, Stergios Pitsiorlas, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy & Development, said on Wednesday.

Speaking during during the second and last day of the 4th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, Pitsiorlas said that planning for the development of new marinas through the public private partnership model will be finalized this summer in partnership with port authorities in various locations around Greece.

However, according to industry experts, today the challenges pose a barrier to growth as neighboring destinations, such as Turkey and Croatia, have already embarked on a strategic transformation of their own yachting sector and marina infrastructure development.

The president of the Greek Marinas Association, Stavros Katsikadis, said that Greece must renew its framework of establishing and operating tourist ports.

“A reasonable and stable tax and regulatory regime would help attract investments by reducing legal risks,” he said.

The 4th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum was organized by Posidonia Exhibitions and held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is a media sponsor of this year’s Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum.