Greece Mulls Energy Measures to Support Tourism Businesses

A total of 100 million euros in funding will be allocated to small and medium-sized (SME) businesses active in tourism as part of a series of measures taken by the Greek government to minimize the impact of soaring energy costs on the sector, said Environment Minister Kostas Skrekas this week.

Skrekas discussed the issue during a video conference with Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, State Minister Akis Skertsos, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) President Yiannis Retsos and Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX) President Grigoris Tasios.

According to a joint statement, measures and aid will focus more on energy upgrades for SMEs. During the meeting, Skrekas presented the government’s new “Exoikonomo – Epicheiro” (Save – Do Business) plan to be implemented with 200 million euros worth of EU recovery and resilience funds (RRF).

Greek Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas.

The program, Skrekas said, aims to improve the energy efficiency of small and medium-sized enterprises and includes a special fund of 100 million euros for the Greek tourism sector.

The environment minister also said the possibility of creating hotel energy clusters, which could be included in a virtual energy offsetting scheme, was under consideration.

Among others, ministers and hoteliers agreed to provide additional support to small tourism businesses under 150 beds operating in remote and mountainous areas and facing the greatest difficulties in terms of energy costs, and stressed the importance of hotel facility upgrades. The new support measures will cover costs for equipment, thermal insulation and the installation of renewable energy systems.

Kikilias said the government and the ministry were supporting remote mountain destinations with funding and promotion.

Earlier this year, SETE had tabled three proposals to help tourism and hospitality businesses deal with soaring energy costs ahead of winter.