Rhodes is a Frontrunner in Sustainability, Says Tourism Minister

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni (center) speaking to local tourism professionals at the headquarters of the Region of South Aegean. Photo source: Region of South Aegean

Sustainable tourism development, diversifying the tourism product, enhancing the island’s reputation and upgrading tourism education topped Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni’s agenda during her visit this week to Rhodes.

Accompanied by Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti and Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis, Kefalogianni met with South Aegean Regional Governor George Hatzimarkos and local tourism professionals.

‘Rhodes is a frontrunner’

South Aegean Regional Governor George Hatzimarkos, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti.

Issues discussed included ways to strengthen the island’s competitiveness, arrivals and revenues, as well as challenges which need immediate resolutions.

“Rhodes is a frontrunner,” said Kefalogianni, adding that the island has been leading the way with groundbreaking initiatives such as ‘The Rhodes Co-Lab’ which can make Rhodes “an example” with a global impact.

“It is our obligation to work towards a sustainable tourism sector that can play a leading role in the long run, support the Greek economy, provide opportunities and well-paid jobs to as many people as possible,” said Kefalogianni.

Earlier this year, local authorities announced 26 projects set to transform the island  into a global model of sustainable tourism as part of the Rhodes Co-Lab business plan to be implemented over a period of five years by the South Aegean Region, the Rhodes municipality and tour operator TUI Group aimed at identifying and implementing concrete sustainable solutions that focus on the people, the environment, and the economy.

On her part, Rapti announced a new international competition for the supply of textbooks to the Rhodes School of Tourism Education (ASTER) for the next year and that permanent administrative staff would be hired in 2024.

Rhodes Mayor Andonis Cambourakis, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, South Aegean Regional Governor George Hatzimarkos, Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti and GNTO Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis. Photo source: Region of South Aegean

“We are also in talks with the Finance Ministry to issue a Transportation Pass for students,” said Rapti after her visits to ASTER and to the island’s state-run Vocational Training Institute for Tourism (IEK).

Lastly, Fragakis said Rhodes was the “image of Greece abroad” and referred to GNTO actions for the promotion of the island, including joint advertising programs with the South Aegean Region, airlines and tour operators.