Greece’s Regions Want More Support for their Tourism Development

Official’s at the first meeting of the Regional Tourism Council. Photo source: Ionian Islands Region

Promoting all of Greece’s regions equally and ensuring funding goes into infrastructure projects that will further develop tourism topped the agenda of the first meeting of the Regional Tourism Council organized by the Association of Greek Regions.

Addressing the event, Ionian Islands Region Governor and Council President Yiannis Terpeklis said ensuring all regions enjoy equal promotion at international tourism shows, was one of the top priorities.

He added that actions were also required to upgrade infrastructure and present regional offerings to new markets. In this direction, Terpeklis underlined the importance of involving regional authorities in the design of the national tourism strategy.

Terpeklis went on to say that in addition to promotional actions, the new council will focus on sustainable tourism development across Greece and for each region individually.

Regional Governor of the Ionian Islands, Giannis Trepeklis, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Central Macedonia Regional Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

Among others, Terpeklis expressed his disappointment with the limited promotion of certain regions at international fairs such at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London. In this direction, he said he would be requesting from Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni to take action.

Referring to the need for infrastructure, he cited the example of the Ionian Islands Region, home to some 230,000 permanent residents, which in the peak tourism season hosts more than 3,500,000 tourists.

“The number of visitors we welcome each year is 15 times the population putting pressure on infrastructure and not allowing us to offer visitors the quality services we want despite the positive contribution of the private sector,” Terpeklis said, adding that the public sector was severely lagging behind and that achieving high tourist numbers also requires the government to implement infrastructure projects where needed.