Private-Public Partnerships Key to Greek Tourism Success, Minister Tells SETE

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni (center) with SETE’s Board of Directors.

The importance of creating private and public partnerships that will take Greek tourism into the new era, topped the agenda of talks between Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) this week.

Kefalogianni said emphasis was now on ensuring quality tourism offerings and services while addressing risks, including climate change, shortage of staff, infrastructure capabilities, natural resources management, and the wellbeing of communities.

In this direction she highlighted the need to tap into new technologies and available funding tools to upgrade tourism-related infrastructure.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni.

Kefalogianni said a prerequisite for the success of the ministry’s new vision was the smooth cooperation between the government, agencies and private entities in order to build solid tourism foundations that take into consideration new trends and respond to tourist demands.

The minister also referred to the new tourism bill tabled in parliament this week which aims to set the terms and conditions for future tourism development. Among others, the bill covers urban planning and licensing issues, the development and promotion of special interest tourism products such as health, spa, fishing and wine tourism, the enhancement and upgrade of tourism education, updates of professional standards and regulations for tourist guides, aligns timeshare rentals with EU rules, streamlines operations for Destination Management and Marketing Organizations (DMMOs) and the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, and addresses other issues impacting tourism development.