Greece Misses Out on 2 Billion Euros Annually from Untapped Natura 2000 Tourism Potential

Samaria Gorge.

With over 25 percent of Greece’s land area included in the EU’s Natura 2000 network, it is estimated that a modest tourism development of even 40 percent of this area could significantly boost Greece’s tourism market by billions of euros.

A recent study published by DiaNEOSIS, a research and analysis organization based in Athens, indicates that the underutilized tourism potential of Natura areas could generate up to 2 billion euros annually for Greece’s tourism sector, while also creating approximately 15,000 new jobs.

The study, conducted by DiaNEOSIS in collaboration with OFYPEKA, a government agency established in 2020 to oversee Natura 2000 areas in Greece, highlights the economic opportunities within these protected regions.

Notable examples of Natura 2000 sites include the Prespes Lakes, the Rodopi forests, and the sea park for the Monachus Monachus seal in the Sporades Islands, all of which are safeguarded by both Natura 2000 and Greek law.

Prespes lakes.

Beyond their ecological value, Natura areas are also crucial for the socioeconomic development of their surrounding communities. Activities such as ecotourism, agrotourism, and cultural tourism can contribute significantly to local economies. According to Professor Paris Tsartas, a tourism development expert and co-author of the study, “mild economic activity in Natura areas is likely to provide better incentives for their protection.”

It is estimated that the management and protection of Natura areas in Greece, with an annual cost of 148.5 million euros, generate financial benefits of approximately 2 billion euros each year. The budget allocated for Natura areas in Greece for the period from 2021 to 2027 is 1,039.5 million euros, which includes funds for sustainable tourism development initiatives.

Photo source: OFYPEKA

Photo source: OFYPEKA

This budget is supported not only by the central EU budget but also by regional funds and European structural and investment funds. Additionally, total funding from supplementary sources, such as Interreg programs and the EU’s new agricultural policy, could reach an impressive 7.7 billion euros in the coming years.

Researchers suggest that mild tourism activities in Greece’s Natura areas should be commercially viable. This could include revenue from visitor ticket purchases, similar to the existing models at the Samaria Gorge and the Sporades Sea Park. Other potential sources of income include fees for organizing athletic or social events within Natura protected areas and the production and sale of local products on-site.