Greek Tourism Ministry Puts Thessaly’s Problems High on Agenda

(L-R) Hellenic Hotels Chamber President Alexandros Vassilkos; Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni; GNTO Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis; Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development Myron Flouris. Photo source: Tourism Ministry.

The Greek Tourism Ministry is committed to help Thessaly recover from the recent floods caused by Storm Daniel, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said on Wednesday.

Chairing a meeting at the Greek National Tourism Organization’s (GNTO) headquarters in Athens, Kefalogianni discussed the current situation in Thessaly and outlined future plans with GNTO Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis and Hellenic Chamber of Hotels President Alexandros Vassilikos.

The officials, during the meeting, discussed the problems that tourism businesses and visitors in Thessaly faced during the days of the disaster and agreed that the restoration of infrastructure and development of short- and medium-term measures to boost the tourism product are among the main priorities.

Also discussed was the launch of special campaigns to help Thessaly recover and regain its status as a leading tourism destination.

Storm Daniel caused record-breaking rainfall in Greece earlier this month with Thessaly among the areas that were hit the hardest with roads, houses and crops under water. A number of villages are still cut off as the floods also affected the power supply and water supply system.

Α map of the floods in Greece by Copernicus – Friday, September 8. A total flooded area of 72,950 ha was detected. Photo source: Copernicus EMS

During the meeting at the GNTO, the Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development Myron Flouris presented a report on the problems the flood-stricken areas are currently facing.

Flouris was among the government officials that accompanied Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his visit to the flood-stricken areas last week.

The secretary general participated in the meetings at the Thessaly Region Coordination Centre for Operations and contributed to the efforts concerning the relocation of tourists in Pelio that were led by the Volos Port Authority, the Civil Protection Ministry and the Thessaly Region.

In his report, among other things, Flouris made special mention to Thessaly’s hoteliers that accommodated those affected by the bad weather.