Greece Sets Recovery Fund Priorities for Tourism After Covid-19

Reigniting investment interest, digital technology integration, infrastructure upgrades, sustainable tourism development, advanced tourism training and employment are the priority areas to benefit from Greece’s share of EU recovery funds to stimulate the economy after the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic subsides.

Greek tourism stakeholders and industry bodies met on Tuesday via teleconference to share ideas and discuss the most efficient way of tapping into 27.5 billion euros of rescue funds for tourism out of a total 70 billion euros. After assessment of the recommendations, the tourism ministry will present the final proposal based on the Pissarides committee growth plan tabled earlier this month.

“We’re already making plans for the next day so that tourism can have a greater growth impetus… We have the opportunity to formulate a new model of tourism development and mainly to address problem areas,” said Deputy Tourism Minister Manos Konsolas, referring to seasonality, concentration of tourist activity in certain regions, and lack of diversification.

On her part, the ministry’s new secretary general for tourism policy and development, Vicky Loizou, underlined the importance of cooperation between all parties.

“It’s important that we all work together – market players, the academic community and ministry officials – to address the difficulties and seize the opportunity by creating the necessary conditions to develop tourism in order to be competitive within the global environment regardless of specific conditions that may occur each time”.

The teleconference was attended by representatives of tourism bodies including the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, the Hellenic Hotel Federation (POX), the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO), the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA) and the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN), among others.