Attica Region Plan Sets Out Tourism Development Goals

Sounio, Attica.

Developing special interest forms of tourism and setting the foundations for a new development model are the priorities of a new tourism strategy for the Attica Region tabled recently by Attica Region Governor George Patoulis.

The governor said implementation of the plan’s key objectives is set to begin in the coming period after signing this week the contract with the group of companies awarded the concession.

Overall the plan, budgeted at 9 million euros, will focus on showcasing tourism options available in the Attica region – which includes the wider Athens area, Elefsina, Megara, Lavrion and Marathon, as well as the Saronic Gulf islands, and highlighting historic sites and monuments as well as development of alternative forms of tourism.

Elefsina archaeological site. Photo source: Ministry of Culture

The aim, Patoulis said, is to enhance the region’s outwardness and to formulate a new tourism development model based on the principle of sustainability that will in turn attract major investments.

“Our goal is to highlight the special tourism value of Attica,” said Patoulis, adding that actions had already been taken to promote and market the region to year-round travelers and high-income tourists.

The governor went on to add that other initiatives include strengthening health and wellness tourism offerings in Attica as well as the development of culinary, marine and wine tourism.

Attica Regional governor Georgios Patoulis.

The Attica Region tourism strategy will be implemented by the region’s Directorate of Tourism and will include tourist promotion and development initiatives focusing on adapting tourism development and resources management to new needs and trends; integrating sustainable practices across the scope of tourism activities; setting out objectives for the promotion of destinations and experiences; targeting new source markets and strengthening existing markets; developing new tourist products; ensuring fairly distributed tourist flows; addressing issues of seasonality and duration of visitor stays; conducting carrying capacity and visitor satisfaction studies.

Among others, the strategy also foresees the creation of a Regional Observatory for Sustainable Tourism Development following a similar initiative announced by the tourism ministry as well as the launch of an Attica Region tourism promotion website and establishing the region’s strong presence in social media.

Last year, regional authorities had announced the creation of a Destination Management Organization (DMO).