Greece Presents Proposals for EU’s Sustainable Tourism Development

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni (right) with Walloon Minister for Tourism Valerie De Bue, chair of the Informal Meeting of European Tourism Ministers in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. Photo © Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union / Elodie Meunier

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni on Tuesday informed her European counterparts in detail on Greece’s initiatives and ideas that aim to actively promote the EU’s sustainable tourism development agenda.

Kefalogianni was one of the ministers responsible for tourism in the EU’s member states that attended the Informal Council of European Tourism Ministers in Belgium organized by Brussels as holder of the presidency of the Council of the EU. Member states were invited to exchange around the following topics: the twin transition of tourism – both digital and sustainable – as well as perspectives on tourism at the European level during the next European mandate.

Family photo of the EU Tourism Ministers. Photo © Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union / Elodie Meunier

Speaking during the council, Kefalogianni referred to the establishment of the Mediterranean Coastal and Maritime Tourism Observatory, which monitors, records, plans and implements targeted thematic policies for the sustainable development of coastal and marine tourism in the Med.

According to the minister, nine countries have already declared their participation in the project. Kefalogianni then invited her counterparts to join forces on this important effort.

“We are at a pivotal moment, where specific initiatives can shape the course of the tourism sector in the European Union,” Kefalogianni said and referred to key aspects that need attention at leadership level.

In particular, she pointed out the need to strengthen and recognize the value of tourism in the EU, and proposed the establishment of a permanent Tourism Task Force at EU level.

She then highlighted the need for special funds from the European budget to be made available for the financial assistance to the tourism sectors of member states.

EU Talent Pool

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo © Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union / Elodie Meunier

Touching on the subject of staff shortages in the EU’s tourism sector, Kefalogianni stressed that ways to deal with the issue must be sought and promoted. She proposed the creation of a special platform dubbed “EU Talent Pool” that would connect Member States with workers from third countries and the parallel development of cooperation agreements in the field of employment with third countries.

Staying on the subject, Kefalogianni then referred to the need to facilitate training programs in order to upgrade skills and retrain staff in the tourism industry.

Digital transition

Regarding the promotion of a fair digital environment for tourism activity in the EU, the minister noted the need for the implementation of EU Acts for Digital Services and for Digital Markets to be frequently monitored in order to ensure the interests of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the sector, in relation to the business practices of online platforms.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo © Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union / Elodie Meunier

Further, with regard to SMEs, the minister supported the adoption of a common policy by the EU, to provide funding opportunities that will be particularly focused on strengthening their resilience and their transition to the digital age. According to Kefalogianni, this would strengthen, among other things, the process of adapting the tourism sector to the constantly changing preferences and behaviors of consumers in the context of the digital and green transition.

Regarding the need to invest in sustainability and smart development, Kefalogianni proposed the launch of partnerships to create a business environment that would allow enterprises to adopt European legislation without obstacles based on the EU “Think Small First” principle and this way strengthen their competitiveness. The “Think Small First” principle implies that policy makers give full consideration to SMEs at the early policy development stage.

On the sidelines of Informal Council of European Tourism Ministers, Kefalogianni had bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Italy, Croatia and Bulgaria and had the opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest for the development of synergies at bilateral and European levels.

Photo © Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union / Elodie Meunier

The Informal meeting of European Tourism Ministers took place in Louvain-la-Neuve and was chaired by Walloon Minister for Tourism Valerie De Bue. Innovative actions and good practices were shared by member states, with a focus on strengthening data sharing, achieving a more competitive and sustainable tourism offer and enhancing the attractiveness of careers in the sector.