Minister: Team Work Key to Keeping Greek Tourism in the Lead

Tourism minister Vassilis Kikilias speaking during the POX general assembly. Photo source: POX.

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said this week that the government would soon be finalizing a legal framework to regulate short-term rental activity which will in turn ensure fair market conditions for hoteliers and strengthen the country’s tourism product.

Addressing the annual general assembly of the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX), Kikilias said that a framework had been agreed during a meeting earlier this week between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and SETE (the Greek Tourism Confederation).

Among others, Kikilias said that the country’s positive tourism performance  last year was the result of close cooperation between the ministry, hoteliers and sector professionals.

“The results are measurable and cannot be disputed. Tourism will continue to grow as we join forces. Everyone acknowledges that tourism is the country’s major industry and a key driver of development contributing 25 percent to GDP,” said Kikilias.

The minister also referred to the Greek National Tourism Organization’s (GNTO) ongoing campaigns key among which the new “Shopping in Greece” drive aimed at supporting SMEs and boosting local and national tourism-related revenues.

Lastly, and in the same direction, he said the ministry was reaching out to new markets including those of China, Australia and India.

“This year, the China market opened with three flights from Beijing and two from Shanghai, which will increase in number and extend into the off season. We are also counting on Australia, where we opened a new GNTO branch in Melbourne, and our next target is the Indian market, which is very large and rapidly growing,” he said.