Thermal Tourism Can Tackle Greece’s Seasonality, Says Minister

Thermal tourism, as a special form of Greek tourism, can significantly contribute to combating Greece’s seasonality and help towards the sustainable development of destinations, according to Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni.

Speaking during a meeting with the new board of the Hellenic Association of Municipalities with Thermal Springs, Kefalogianni said that the Tourism Ministry has already certified 80 natural thermal springs across Greece and has licensed more than 30 thermal tourism facilities.

She added that to further develop this specific niche market, the Committee for the Protection of Thermal Natural Resources was reestablished, assisting the ministry in better promoting and developing thermal tourism for the benefit of local communities.

Pozar Thermal Baths, Aridaias village, Loutraki . Photo source: Visit Greece

Moreover, Kefalogianni mentioned that the ministry would soon invite applications for the upgrade of existing or establishment of new thermal tourism facilities with resources from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

The program will be open to local government authorities, legal entities, businesses, as well as the Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD S.A.) and the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF).

During the meeting, representatives from the Hellenic Association of Municipalities with Thermal Springs submitted a memo highlighting the need to upgrade the services offered at thermal springs facilities.

According to the tourism minister, such facilities should offer all-inclusive services to attract visitors year-round from both Greece and abroad.

Also present at the meeting was Greek Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti, who oversees the ministry’s special forms of tourism portfolio.

Rapti stated that the ministry’s “strategic goal” is to support special forms of tourism, using them as a tool to extend the tourism season.

“Thermal tourism is one such niche market,” she said, adding that the ministry has recorded the needs mentioned by the association and will aim to take the necessary measures to support this specific tourism product.