Sfakia Municipality Seeks to Promote Sustainable Tourism at Samaria Gorge

Samaria gorge, Crete. Photo source: Crete Region

The Municipality of Sfakia in Crete is taking steps to position the Samaria Gorge as a key sustainable tourism attraction through a new partnership with the Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency (OFYPEKA).

To support this goal, the local government recently signed a budget agreement with OFYPEKA to fund two critical protection and preservation projects.

The initiatives, titled “Development of a Central Path in the Old Settlement of Agia Roumeli, Municipality of Sfakia”, and “Development of Accessibility for People with Disabilities from Ano Limenas of Agia Roumeli to the Holy Trinity Church”, have received 319,389 euros in funding. The projects aim to achieve the following:

• Improvements to pathways
• Safe and inclusive accessibility
• Enhancement of the gorge’s tourism appeal
• Development of accessible infrastructure for visitors with disabilities

Sfakia Mayor Ioannis Zervos highlighted that the projects are expected to be completed within the next three years, with a focus on the overall development of the southern side of the Samaria National Park.

“These projects are crucial to ensuring the smooth operation of the Samaria National Park, as they aim to protect and promote the area’s unique natural environment,” said Mayor Zervos. “The initiatives will provide a framework for sustainable tourism development and safeguard the ecosystem for future generations.”

Following the signing of the agreement, representatives from both parties met at Sfakia Town Hall to discuss the next steps for initiating the projects.