Greece Needs to Keep Ahead of Competition with New Marina Projects

Greek Marinas Association’s meeting in Corfu.

Greece needs to take immediate action and revise the legal framework covering ports and marinas that will enable dozens of projects to move forward in view of strong competition in the yachting segment from countries in the Adriatic, said Greek Marinas Association President Stavros Katsikadis this week.

Addressing an association meeting on Corfu, Katsikadis underlined the need to revise Law 2160/1993 which, among others, designates the location of new marina projects, so that investments can proceed, RRF funds absorbed, and Greece’s yachting segment remain competitive.

“Fierce competition from countries in the Adriatic requires immediate measures that will at least protect maritime tourism in Greece, which is a key driver of the economy,” he said.

Referring to Corfu, Katiskadis said it was a popular destination for small and large pleasure boats. “The growing demand for berths on Corfu and in the Ionian overall reflects a need for the upgrade of existing infrastructure and the development of new projects which will create new jobs and bring significant benefits to the local economy,” he said.

Greek Marinas Association President Stavros Katsikadis.

In this direction, he called on the government and stakeholders to work together with local associations and bodies to accelerate these actions. The meeting also focused on ways to improve funding terms for port and marina upgrades under the Tourism Ministry’s program currently in progress.

According to the association, another obstacle to the implementation of marina and port projects is the involvement of too many authorities and bodies leading to delays. “This rare funding opportunity for the modernization of Greek marinas should not be missed,” he said.

According to studies, Greece stands to gain billions of euros from the creation of additional berths and the utilization of the country’s marinas and tourist ports. Studies show that though Greece is among the most popular global destinations for recreational sailing, authorities have failed to tap into the vast potential of marinas and ports as well as of boatmaking activities, noting that of the country’s 168 tourism ports only 37 are currently operating and many are still lagging behind in infrastructure upgrades.