Greek Lawmakers Approve New Tourism Law Focusing on Sustainability, Accessibility, Quality

Photo source: Hellenic Parliament Press Office / © Froso Kanellidou

Sustainability, accessibility, value added and equal distribution of tourism flows are at the center of a new tourism law passed in Greek parliament late on Wednesday.

Greek lawmakers approved by majority vote the draft bill titled “Provisions to Strengthen Sustainable Tourism Development” tabled in parliament by Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni.

The current law, which revises previous legislation, provides tools that will enable sustainable tourism development projects and the upgrade of tourism services and the institutions to monitor tourism sector activities while regulating ministry organizational and operational issues.

Speaking in parliament, Kefalogianni said the “adjustments” are aimed at leading the country’s tourism industry into a new cycle of development while laying the foundations for quality services and offerings and a stronger sector which can support the Greek economy, create better jobs, attract sustainable investments and take Greece into the new era.

“Amendments or corrective actions have been made for initiatives that did not have the anticipated result. In the coming period, specific interventions and specialization of the existing framework will be discussed,” said Kefalogianni.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Vouli TV/Tourism Ministry.

“This is a first but necessary legislative step aimed at resolving urgent issues and paving the way for the development a new policy for Greek tourism. A policy that responds to modern and complex challenges such as climate change, increasing competitiveness and geopolitical instability,” she added.

Among others the new law foresees:

– the upgrade of the Regional Tourism Council enabling it to formulate plans and national tourism policy as well as to coordinate synergies between public and private entities and local governments

– the establishment of a Wine Tourism Council which will be responsible for the development and promotion of the wine tourism segment

– the establishment of the Observatory for Coastal and Marine Tourism in the Mediterranean, the first research station dedicated to measuring the sustainable development of coastal and maritime tourism across the Mediterranean as agreed in an MoU with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

– the improved operation of the National Observatory of Sustainable Tourism Development as well as actions that will ensure interoperability with information systems and public sector registers with the aim of formulating targeted policies to showcase the country’s tourism product.

Additionally, the new law foresees the transfer of unused funds from the “Tourism for All 2022-2025” subsidized holiday program in order to ensure faster and more efficient absorption and implementation.

Lastly, Kefalogianni listed immediate ministry priorities which include the fair distribution of tourist flows to all of the country’s 13 regions, extending  the tourism season; ensuring destination accessibility; enriching and diversifying the tourism products on offer; enhancing Greece’s brand name and global reputation; upgrading tourism education and training; interventions that will pave the way for the upgrade of ski centers and mountain refuges, as well as the simplification of licensing procedures for tourist ports and infrastructure.

In this direction, Kefalogianni said the first calls for projects to be financed by the RRF funds had been published this week.

“The ultimate goal is the development of a tourism product that will serve as a model in the increasingly competitive international environment,” said Kefalogianni.

Opposition parties which did not approve of the bill claimed that goals set were “questionable, unclear, disconnected and ineffective”, and added that the government had “failed to provide a national strategic plan to support and strengthen Greek tourism”.