Greece Shoreline Use to Be Auctioned Off

© Maria Theofanopoulou

The right to use the shoreline, which includes the rental of sea sport equipment, the placement of tables and chairs, umbrellas and recliners along beaches and shorelines for the public use, will be granted via e-auction, the economy ministry announced this week.

The pilot program, which will be put into effect for the first time this year, will apply to a limited number of cases with the aim, according to the ministry statement, to upgrade the system and ensure transparency of the procedure, which if fully applied will bring in increased revenue as well as effectively promote Greek destinations abroad.

“The aim is to simplify and accelerate the concession process for the use of shoreline and beach areas and to maximize stakeholder participation by increasing the efficiency of public services and by enhancing the quality of the services provided to interested entrepreneurs in order for them to meet their business goals and, in turn, serve the community as a whole,” the ministry statement said.

The ministry said it aims to expand the use of electronic auctions for concessions in the coming years in order to ensure maximum stakeholder involvement and fairness.