Minister Expects Seaplane Services to be a Game-changer for Greek Tourism

Hellenic Seaplanes President and CEO Nicolas Charalambous and Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis

Seaplane services in Greece, once launched, will create new tourism products and employment opportunities for communities on the Greek islands and remote regions, Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis said on Tuesday while discussing with representatives of Hellenic Seaplanes, a company investing in the development of Greece’s first waterway network.

During the meeting, Theoharis stressed the significance of a waterway network for the development of Greek tourism and said the ministry would help in any way possible.

“The ministry supports investment initiatives that promote Greece, create national transport infrastructure and provide solutions for the connection of the coastal areas of our country,” the Greek tourism minister said.

On his part, Hellenic Seaplanes President and CEO Nicolas Charalambous presented the company’s ambitious plans to develop Greece’s waterway in collaboration with municipalities, ports and hotels.

“With the help of the Greek government, Greece will soon develop the largest network of waterways in Europe and the world. The operation of seaplanes will contribute to the development of local island economies, upgrade their tourism product and improve the quality of life for residents,” he added.

Hellenic Seaplanes’ plans will be carried out in cooperation with Greek Water Airports. The two companies are in the process of licensing and constructing some 150 waterways in their aim to set up the largest seaplane network in Europe.

Photo source: Hellenic Seaplanes

Greek lakes included in planned waterway network

Charalambous also informed the minister that four waterways will be created by regional authorities at lakes of western Macedonia to connect them with other destinations. Meanehile, Attica Governor George Patoulis also plans to develop waterways in Attica for the transportation of passengers from/to the Saronic islands and other island destinations.

Hellenic Seaplanes recently announced a strategic partnership with IFLY Aviation, a company offering air charter services. A memorandum of cooperation signed between the two companies foresees the provision of combined services through the leasing of airplanes, helicopters and seaplanes.

Furthermore, the company is in the process of developing a direct booking system for passengers, travel agencies and tourism enterprises.

During the meeting, Theoharis and Charambous also discussed on Greece’s tourism campaign, “All you want is Greece”, which aims to attract visitors from all over the world during this summer season.

According to Charalambous, Hellenic Seaplanes is developing its own promotional campaign under the motto “Connecting Greece”, that will run in parallel with Greece’s national campaign, with the aim to support and further develop Greek tourism.