Greek Tourism Minister Works Closely with Local Authorities on Crete

by GTP editing team 19 July 2024

written by GTP editing team 19 July 2024 3 comments

Rethymno, Crete.

With Greece’s new Special Spatial Framework for Tourism currently under public consultation, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni met this week with the mayor of the town of Rethymnon, Crete, Giorgos Marinakis, to address challenges facing the area. Among the key topics discussed were enhancing infrastructure and establishing Rethymnon as a sustainable tourism destination.

Minister Kefalogianni, whose family hails from Rethymnon, engaged with Mayor Marinakis, who also serves as the president of the Regional Union of the Municipalities of Crete. The discussions focused on various issues affecting the island community and its local authorities.

Kefalogianni emphasized the importance of fostering a productive dialogue between the Greek government and local communities to address critical issues such as water resource management, waste management, and the enhancement of tourism infrastructure.

“We need insights from local experts, such as the mayor of Rethymnon, to aid in planning and addressing these issues, even on a national level,” Kefalogianni said.

Rethymnon Mayor Giorgos Marinakis with Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Kefalogianni also briefed the mayor on the opportunities provided by the Recovery and Resilience Fund, administered by the Tourism Ministry, which focuses on developing model tourism destinations. She explained that the ministry aims to create a sustainable development framework tailored to the unique features of various Greek destinations. The framework will be based on the specific features of each destination and include a detailed action plan outlining the necessary steps for successful promotion and development.

In response, Mayor Marinakis expressed his enthusiasm and readiness for the establishment of a Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) in Rethymnon.

Both officials agreed to continue their close cooperation to ensure the dynamic and qualitative development of Rethymnon as a premier tourist destination.

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GTP editing team

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3 comments

P. Off 22 July 2024 - 09:35

As long as they continue to give planning permission for huge hotels with individual client swimming pools right next to what we’re beautiful beaches, with no sewage system all meetings are just words. The hotel owners employ foreigners at extremely low wages and source their food from outside of Greece. So overall the tourists use our water and our electricity and return nothing but rubbish to the land – we gain nothing as they are all inclusive. Where will all this extra water and electricity come from? I’m guessing cuts in winter.

Diogenis Spyropoulos 21 July 2024 - 22:36

What about a golf courses using grey water.
Rethymno needs at least one golf course . The beach is not enough as an attraction to our town.

Clive Sieling 21 July 2024 - 11:52

I’m glad someone is finally thinking of the future. Planning laws seem very loose. There are too many big expensive hotels spreading out and spoiling the beauty. Who benefits? We love Crete and have learnt Greek,travel by bus, and love to meet local people. Xero poli, yiasas.

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