Greek Tourism Ministry Welcomes Strong Interest in Upgrade Funding Programs

3-5 Pigadia Ski Center.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni announced that funding for the first two ski resort upgrade projects had been approved as part of the ministry’s call for plans which closed on March 31.

More specifically, the Anilio and 3-5 Pigadia ski resorts will be allocated a total of 10 million euros each for upgrades as part of a wider ministry call for plans to be included in its RFF-supported funding program budgeted at 387 million euros.

According to the ministry, the majority of the country’s licensed ski resorts submitted applications for funding worth 147.65 million euros. The current available sum comes to 100 million euros.

“Our goal is to support development across Greece and generate benefits which will be equally and fairly distributed,” said Kefalogianni, adding that the projects are setting strong foundations for the sustainable future of tourism destinations and products.

Archive photo of Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni at last year’s press event, presenting the projects for tourism included in the “Greece 2.0” National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Additionally, as part of efforts to create high level infrastructure that will be able to meet the growing demand for marine tourism and yachting, the ministry said it had received 41 investment plans by the January 31 deadline after a call for projects that will upgrade the country’s ports and marinas.

The government will be allocating 139 million euros in RRF funds so that the selected investment plans move forward. The plans submitted came to 184 million euros exceeding the available budget. Assessment of the plans is underway with the first approvals expected later this month.

Papa Nero Beach at Pelion. Photo source: Visit Greece

Lastly, 32 investment plans have been submitted so far to the ministry’s call for beach accessibility projects for funding reaching 17.13 million euros. So far, submitted plans amount to 5.33 million euros with the application deadline set for May 31.

Last year, the tourism ministry announced calls for projects valued at approximately 150 million euros, including ski center upgrades, promotion and marketing of mountain destinations, enhancement of wellness, gastronomy and agritourism and the creation of Greece’s first DMMO (destination management and marketing organization) specializing in thematic tourism.