Minister: Greece to Simplify Port and Marina Licensing Procedures

Tourism Minister, Olga Kefalogianni During a meeting with members of the Greek Marinas Association.
Photo source: Ministry of Tourism

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni announced this week that revised legislation would be simplifying licensing procedures for port and marina projects in order to encourage investment activity.

During a meeting with members of the Greek Marinas Association, Kefalogianni said sustainable infrastructure upgrades, improving accessibility and the digitization of tourist port services were tourism ministry priorities as part of ongoing actions to modernize the country’s marinas and ports.

She underlined the importance of marine tourism and presented ministry plans that aim to develop the segment and upgrade the services offered. She said the projects will be funded through EU and national recovery and resilience funds.

The upgrades are necessary, said Kefalogianni, in order to meet the growing demand for marine tourism services and products and are aimed at ensuring these remain competitive and Greece further improves its reputation as a marine tourism destination.

It is reminded that the Tourism Ministry has already invited proposals for the upgrade of tourist ports (marinas). According to the minister, funds over 139 million euros from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) are available for projects. The deadline to submit proposals is December 27. (Parties that wish to submit investment proposals can find detailed information (in Greek) here.)

Tourism Minister, Olga Kefalogianni with Stavros Katsikadis, President of the Greek Marinas Association.
Photo source: Ministry of Tourism

Lastly, Kefalogianni said the protection of the marine environment and coastal areas as part of tourism sustainability efforts was a strategic ministry goal.

A 2021 study by research and policy institute diaNEOsis found that Greece stands to gain 2.8 billion euros in the next decade if it taps into the potential of its marinas.