Kilada Project: €400m Tourism Investment Kicks Off in Greece

Photo © GTP

Dolphin Capital, real estate investors and developers that specialize in hospitality, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, celebrating the start of construction of the Kilada project in Greece, a tourism investment more than 400 million euros.

The Kilada project, located in the valley of Argolida, eastern Peloponnese, is the first tourism investment in Greece to receive ‘strategic investment’ status which gave it significant licensing advantages, allowing it to dodge red tape. It is the first tourism investment in Greece to be included in the country’s strategic investment law, with its building permits issued in just 15 days.

“This was the fastest process of issuing building permits in Greece in recent years,” Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Photo © GTP

Georgiadis underlined that the government considers the Kilada project a very important investment for the country, which is expected to highlight the destination of Argolida.

“This is the Greece we dream of and want,” he said, adding that such investments will lead to the change of Greece’s tourism model, which will not focus on the number of arrivals, but on attracting high level and quality tourism.

Greek Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis. Photo © GTP

Kilada: Dolphin’s 4th project in Greece

The investment is Dolphin’s second major project in Greece, following the One & Only luxury resort on the island of Kea (currently under construction). Dolphin’s other projects in Greece include Amanzoe and Nikki Beach.

“All four of these projects are pioneering and keep pace with the goal of our group, which has always been high-level developments in collaboration with world-renowned designers and brands, which respect the environment and highlight Greece,” Miltos Kambourides, the founder and CEO of Dolphin, said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Dolphin Capital CEO Miltos Kambourides. Photo © GTP

The construction of the Kilada Country Club, Golf & Residences will be carried out in two phases. The first phase will include the construction of the golf course, the road network and power/water supply networks. The second phase will see the construction of the hotel complex and holiday residences.

“In these difficult times, when we are faced with unprecedented obstacles and where everything is in question, we invest in quality and infrastructure that will prevail,” Kambourides added.

Once completed, the Kilada Country Club, Golf & Residences will cover a total area of 235 hectares, including 0.1 km of coastline, and comprise a 5-star hotel, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, a golf clubhouse, a beach club, luxurious holiday residences and an athletics center.

According to Kambourides, Dolphin will soon launch a campaign to promote Kilada Country Club, Golf & Residences to the international market.

“We will highlight the advantages of the destination and its very strong concept through the slogan ‘This is My Kilada’,” he said.

Minister: Golf tourism attracts visitors all year round

“We are very happy to welcome Kilada to the family of Greek tourism businesses,” Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis said, underlining that the project is based on a different philosophy for tourism development.

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis. Photo © GTP

“Such investments are at the heart of our strategic planning for tourism, which aim to attract visitors all year round and golf investments are primarily investments that offer tourism 12 months a year, Theoharis said, adding that the Kilada investment is being carried out in a promising destination that has many advantages.

Moreover, the minister ascertained that the government will support all tourism investments, every new hotel that opens and will stand by every guest that arrives.

“I will always stand by any initiative that serves the national tourism industry, like Kilada, which is beginning today,” he said.

Photo © GTP

According to Dolphin, the project will create 800 jobs during its construction phase and another 600 positions during its full operation as Kilada Country Club, Golf & Residences.