Laws, Regulations & Policy

Ways to attract higher quality visitors and bring in investments topped the agenda of talks between the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) and EU officials.

Commitment to economic reforms is vital if Greece wants to attract foreign investments, said the head of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), Klaus Regling.

A total of 32 projects in Greece have been selected to receive EU funding, following a decision recently adopted by the European Commission.

A draft law covering thematic and special interest tourism is now open for public consultation through to June 27, on the Tourism Ministry’s website.

After 27 years of debate between Greece and FYROM on the Macedonia “name issue”, Greek Prime Miniter Alexis Tsipras has reached an agreement with the country.

In efforts to preserve waters and beaches across its territories, the European Union is aiming to cut the use of plastics with a new proposed EU-wide regulation.

Direct air links with new markets worldwide, secured by the Tourism Ministry, have helped boost the number of international arrivals to Greece.

For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the European Commission is proposing for €100 billion to go towards research and innovation.

The Greek Tourism Ministry and the GNTO have announced a series of new actions for a more targeted and global promotion of Greece in 2018.

WTTC and IATA have agreed to partner, in efforts to achieve a seamless passenger experience through the use of biometrics technology.

Bank account holders in Greece can as of June 4 withdraw a total of 5,000 euros per month from ATM machines and banks, according to a finance ministry decision.

In order to ensure tourism all year round, enterprises must be relieved of tax burdens, Aegean Airlines President Eftychios Vassilakis said during SETE’s 26th General Assembly.

UNESCO recognizes the historical and ethical dimensions of the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece and calls for a “mutually acceptable solution”.

Expecting Greece to welcome some 32 million foreign visitors this year, PM Alexis Tsipras said 2018 will be “the best year in the history of Greek tourism”.

The impact of new technologies on aviation and airport infrastructure were the focus of the Hellenic Aviation Society’s 5th conference held at Athens International Airport (AIA).

A development plan drawn up by the Greek government, concerning the next steps for when Greece exits its bailout program, includes tourism among top priorities.

The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels has informed its members on the requirements as foreseen by the GDPR privacy law, which comes into force across the EU on May 25.

As Greece prepares to exit its bailout program in August, the government is looking into ways to further ease and ultimately lift capital controls.

Health travel professionals must redesign their security risk strategies in view of a new privacy law known as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which takes effect on May 25.

The Tourism Ministry aims to update Greece’s tourism education in view of the sector’s leading role as a pillar of the Greek economy.