Kefalogianni Outlines Strategic Plans for Greek Tourism at SETE Meeting

Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni and SETE President Yiannis N. Paraschis during their meeting. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni participated in a Board of Directors meeting of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) on Tuesday, providing an update on the ministry’s current actions and future plans.

Kefalogianni addressed several key topics, including the new Special Spatial Framework for Tourism, the cruise sector, and short-term rentals. Her main message emphasized the ministry’s commitment to the sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness of Greece’s tourist destinations and products.

On the new Special Spatial Framework for Tourism

Minister Kefalogianni described the new Special Spatial Framework for Tourism as a critical tool for tourism development.

“It establishes the foundational rules and priorities for tourism development, focusing on essential infrastructure such as road networks, ports, and airports, as well as specialized tourist facilities like ski resorts and marinas, and overall accommodation infrastructure,” she said.

The minister also highlighted that Law No. 5121/2024, which took effect in July, has streamlined permit procedures for tourism infrastructure and introduced new tourism products.

“A draft law is currently being prepared to further reduce bureaucratic obstacles in obtaining tourism business operation licenses and enhance operational oversight,” she added.

Recovery and Resilience Facility 

Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni and SETE President Yiannis N. Paraschis. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Kefalogianni discussed the ministry’s progress in securing financing from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. She noted that various projects are underway to promote Greece’s tourism product, enhance the quality of tourist infrastructure, and highlight lesser-known destinations and experiences.

Cruise sector

The minister provided a detailed overview of the cruise sector, which has shown significant growth and achieved consecutive annual records. She outlined several areas of focus, including:

– Improving cruise ship access to ports of call and enhancing tourist flows, particularly to smaller islands.
– Attracting cruise ships with high-income passengers.
– Upgrading port infrastructures for safety and green technology integration.
– Promoting green cruising to reduce the environmental impact of the cruise sector.
– Further developing homeporting.

Short-term rentals

Regarding short-term rentals, Kefalogianni mentioned that the Tourism Ministry has proposed updates to the relevant regulatory framework to align it with sustainable tourism development goals.

Additionally, Kefalogianni announced plans to visit Japan at the end of September and India in November to explore new market opportunities. She requested support from SETE members to ensure the success of these upcoming trips.