Greece Aims to Establish Aegina Isle into Year-round Destination

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said establishing the island of Aegina into a year-round destination was a top priority, adding that investors from Israel have expressed interest in doing business there.

During his visit to the island, Kikilias met with Aegina Mayor Giannis Zorbas, members of the Aegina Hoteliers Association and local tourism and hospitality stakeholders who briefed the minister on island occupancy levels.

“Aegina is evolving into a 12-month tourist destination. Accommodation facilities on the island are at the moment 90 percent full,” said Kikilias adding that the tourist season is going very well across Greece.

“There is also keen interest for investments on the island, especially from the Israeli market. We will see relevant activity in the immediate future,” he said.

“This investor interest is accompanied by a dynamic flow of visitors to our country from Israel, thanks to the ongoing addition of new destinations by airlines, as well as due to strategic actions undertaken to strengthen Greece’s brand name.”

The minister went on to refer to the importance of developing unique-to-the-island tourist products and special interest forms of tourism focusing on gastronomy, religion and culture through the enhancement of primary production and the promotion of local products, such as the famous Aegina pistachio.

During his visit, Kikilias visited the Aegina Agricultural Cooperative of Pistachio Producers, the Holy Monastery of Agios Nektarios, and the Temple of Aphaia.

Other issues discussed during his visit were the implementation of infrastructure projects, tapping into RRF funds, and further strengthening Aegina’s reputation abroad.