Sustainable Tourism Products Key for Corfu’s Tourism Future

Corfu. Photo source: Visit Greece

The importance of developing alternative tourism products which focus on culture and sustainability topped the agenda of talks between Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and tourism stakeholders on the island of Corfu.

Kefalogianni visited the island as part of a wider tour of the Ionian Islands Region. During her visit, she held a working meeting with Ionian Islands Regional Governor Giannis Trepeklis, local policymakers, and tourism professionals.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni with Ionian Islands Regional Governor Giannis Trepeklis (left).

As the season is about to begin, Kefalogianni said, the goal is to focus more on the quality of services offered and the promotion of best practices in sustainability which foster balance and support local communities.

Kefalogianni at the entrance of the Achilleion Palace in Gastouri, Corfu.

“It is crucial to proceed based on a tourism development plan which takes into account the environmental and social impact and will ensure the development of tourist products that attract wider segments of the market,” she said. In this direction, Kefalogianni said projects funded by RRF tools were in the pipeline as were initiatives to support special interest tourism products.

“The goal is the qualitative, not quantitative, development of tourism. We need to focus on enriching the tourism product with special forms of tourism, ensuring that Greece remains a quality tourism destination,” the minister stated.

Before arriving in Corfu, Kefalogianni had made a stop on the small island of Paxi (or Paxos), where she was briefed by local authorities on the programs and actions initiated by the municipality in collaboration with the Region of the Ionian Islands. These initiatives aim to promote the island and address challenges in transitioning to green development and sustainability.

During discussions, Kefalogianni outlined the ministry’s program for developing a new, modern, and competitive tourism product, emphasizing specific actions that leverage funds from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

Kefalogianni with local authorities of the island of Paxi.

She highlighted actions planned and implemented in alignment with the principles of green and blue development. These include projects aimed at enriching and promoting special forms of tourism, such as diving and nature tourism. Kefalogianni also emphasized efforts to boost tourist flows by opening up new markets.

“The island of Paxi is sure to receive the necessary support to achieve its goals through synergies with the Regional Council,” Kefalogianni underlined.