Minister: Greece Setting High Sustainability Goals in Tourism

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni speaking during a parliament plenary session. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

The Greek Tourism Ministry is looking forward to a new era setting high sustainability goals, said Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni in a parliament plenary session this week.

Speaking during the annual budget talks, Kefalogianni said the ultimate aim is to develop a tourist product that is attractive, competitive and accessible and which can serve as a model of sustainable growth while at the same time upgrading tourism training and education.

Kefalogianni said a total of 387 million euros had been allocated from the country’s recovery and resilience fund in this direction.

The minister said a “new chapter” for Greek tourism was about to start with a series of actions and policies aimed at creating the conditions for growth on the back of a successful 2023 with estimated increases in revenues and arrivals both exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Looking ahead, she said forecasts are “allowing us to be optimistic.

Referring to destinations impacted by last summer’s fires and floods, Kefalogianni said the ministry was working to accelerate the implementation of incentives aimed at stimulating tourism there.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Other actions include the revision of the legal framework which simplifies licensing of tourist infrastructure such as marinas, ports, spas and ski resorts, and the finalization of a new national spatial planning system in tourism to open soon for public deliberation.

Additionally, in efforts to ensure sustainable development, Kefalogianni said guidelines will set out the terms and conditions for the operation of destination management and promotion organizations (DMMOs).

“We are aiming to create a new governance model in tourism which will include the involvement and cooperation of the private sector, the central government and local governments. We are also aiming to strengthen the sector’s resilience and upgrade the image and identity of Greece as a tourist destination with global appeal,” she said.