Greece Implementing Sustainable Tourism Policy, Says Minister

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Greece is taking steps to tap into new opportunities that will pave the way for a sustainable future in tourism, said Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni during the “Tourism & Sustainability” event organized by the Athens-based Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET) at the Acropolis Museum.

Addressing the event, Kefalogianni outlined ministry actions and initiatives in this direction, including the establishment of the first Mediterranean Coastal and Maritime Tourism Observatory, the Regional Tourism Council, and the standard of integrated management for tourist destinations.

Among others, she said the ministry and government were laying the groundwork for a “new start” in tourism with the goal to create sustainable destinations and products focusing on balance, equal opportunities, the protection of the environment and resources and of heritage.

Photo source: Tourism Ministry

To do this, Kefalogianni said it was vital to leave the past tourism model behind and place emphasis on quality rather than quantity and on resilience and long-term development. Supporting ministry policies are resilience funds which are being channeled into alternative forms of tourism and accessibility infrastructure upgrades.

A key step in safeguarding the country’s natural resources, habitats and architecture is the new spatial planning law, said the minister, to be finalized this year.

ELLET President Stathis Potamitis, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas.

Kefalogianni added that Greece was making efforts to attract investments in this direction with the aim to evolve into a frontrunner in sustainable tourism practices while ensuring resilience to crisis and market shocks.