Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Region Invests in Year-round Tourism

Minister of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media Nikos Pappas; Minister of Labor Social Security and Solidarity Efi Achtsioglou, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura; General Secretary of Strategic and Private Investments Lois Lambrianidis.

On the back of a positive trend in tourist traffic for 2017 with the number of arrivals up by 30 percent and inbound visitors via road increased by 20 percent, the Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Region expects to achieve even stronger results by extending the tourism season.

Kavala, northern Greece.

“Through tourism development we aim to create multiple benefits for all regions across Greece, to showcase new destinations, create new sources of income and more jobs for local communities, to provide professional outlets for the young and to ensure through tourism the prosperity and progress for our country,” Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura said speaking at a regional conference held in Komotini, northern eastern Greece, this week.

The minister went on to add that the region has all the prerequisites to achieve high growth rates in the coming years by promoting thematic tourism and attracting new investments to enhance availability and quality.

She referred to a series of investments in tourism to be carried out in the Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Region, a number of which are currently in the licensing procedure including thermal springs and ski projects. At the same time she underlined the ministry’s focus on linking farming and production with tourism which will boost employment and provide incentives for young people to remain in rural communities.