Greece’s Tourism Bill Aims to Modernize Ski Resorts for Year-round Services

3-5 Pigadia Ski Center.

The Greek Tourism Ministry recently submitted a comprehensive draft bill to Parliament, which, among other provisions, aims to modernize ski resorts to meet European standards and enable them to offer year-round recreational services and activities.

In response to the challenges posed by climate change, the ministry proposes that, during periods when skiing is not possible, resorts may provide a wide range of alternative recreational services and activities to visitors, including the use of ski lifts.

This initiative is part of the ministry’s broader effort to ensure that ski resorts remain viable as climate change reduces snowfall in certain regions. The proposal aims to extend resort operations year-round, offering services even during the off-season, thus maximizing their potential and mitigating the impact of changing weather patterns.

Anilio Ski Center.

The ministry’s proposal is part of a larger bill that includes provisions to upgrade various sectors of Greece’s tourism infrastructure. A strong emphasis has been placed on mountain tourism and the development of ski resorts, with these projects incorporated into Greece’s funding plan through the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Several ski resorts, including Parnassos, Seli, 3-5 Pigadia and Anilio, have already received approval for funding to upgrade their infrastructure, with projects totaling approximately 40 million euros. Due to high demand, the tourism ministry is expected to increase the available budget for these projects, which was initially set at 53.7 million euros.

In addition to ski resorts, the draft tourism bill also includes a range of legislative measures aimed at improving other aspects of the tourism sector. These measures cover short-term rentals, the environmental classification of hotels, enhanced accessibility at port facilities, streamlined car rental procedures, and the use of seawater in swimming pools.