Greek Tourism Ministry to Utilize RRF Funds to Fullest

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias.

The Greek Tourism Ministry is aiming to utilize to the fullest a total of 320 million euros in recovery and resilience funding (RRF) as well as EU aid under the ESPA (NSRF) programs to upgrade and modernize crucial infrastructure in order to meet the demands of international investments in the sector, said Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias this week.

The minister told local media that Greece was “in the spotlight” as more international investors and key market players are setting up shop in the country including the likes of One&Only, Mandarin, Hyatt, Marriott, Accor, and Brown. “All these brands are investing in Greece. What does this mean? New jobs, more visitors and tourists, more Greek products, more services,” said Kikilias.

He went on to underline that ongoing ministry actions have contributed to Greece being the number 5 brand name in tourism and travel worldwide, adding that this year’s success was a result of hard work.

Top priorities for the upcoming period include linking all segments of the economy to tourism to create value added and attract higher spending travelers who opt to stay longer.

Both goals, Kikilias said, were aimed at supporting Greek families and businesses and creating the conditions for local communities to benefit from tourist flows.

Additionally, the minister said efforts were being made to extend the tourism season and to shed the light on lesser known destinations as part of a wider plan to distribute tourist flows equally to destinations across the country.

A case in point, Kikilias said, was Messinia, which first attracted landmark investments that led to immediate development which can now support year-round tourism.

Lastly, referring to his meeting with Germany’s ambassador to Greece, Ernst Reichel, with whom he discussed increasing tourist flows with incentives, particular seniors and pensioners who could benefit from mild winters, lower costs, high level infrastructure and top quality services on offer all year long, Kikilias said that he would be visiting Germany in September to launch a campaign and road show for off season tourism targeting Northern Europeans.