Greek Minister Presents Tools for Thessaly Region Tourism Enhancement

Culture Μinister Lina Mendoni with Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki. Photo source: Ministry of Tourism.

Tapping into alternative forms of tourism that will ensure the fair distribution of tourist visits and boost local economies is a key priority, said Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki during her recent visit to the Thessaly Region.

Zacharaki and Culture Minister Lina Mendoni met with local officials and tourism stakeholders in the town of Trikala accompanying Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on his tour of the region ahead of elections.

Zacharaki announced that 56 million euros have been slated for infrastructure upgrades at ski resorts and the promotion of mountain tourism, 28 million euros will go into the development of wellness tourism, 14 million euros will be directed toward making beaches accessible, 22 million euros into the development and promotion of a network of diving parks, and 46 million euros will be allotted to the “largest human resources training program” in the tourism sector.

Meteora, Thessaly. Photo source: mythessaly.com

The minister added that 17 million euros had been secured for the promotion of agritourism and gastronomy tourism and into initiatives connecting production with hospitality and into the creation of the first special interest DMO in Greece.

As during her visit in Western Macedonia last week, Zacharaki said the region could benefit greatly from a series of special visitor seals which will open Greek olive mills, breweries and cheese factories to the public. She also referred to the vast potential of attracting diving tourism to the region, actions which she said were being take in this direction in collaboration with the culture ministry.

“The region is suitable for year-round tourism. Thessaly can be a permanent attraction for tourists as it combines the mountain experience with the sea, the river and the valley.”

In this direction the Tourism Ministry is now offering many new tools… the new visitor seals for Greek olive mills, breweries and cheese factories, as well as the more than 300 million euros that will be allocated to projects promoting special forms of tourism through the recovery and resilience fund, laying the foundations for a new era of extroversion,” said Zacharaki, adding that the Thessaly Region can play a leading role offering an upgraded tourist experience.