Tourism Investments & Real Estate

Representing the Ionian islands, the regional governor Theodoros Galiatsatos has launched an online referendum on whether Greece should privatize its regional airports.

Smart grid applications, infrastructure for electric vehicles, municipal lighting and electricity storage technologies were the focus of a workshop held earlier this month exploring the viability of energy projects on the Greek islands.

A fixed tax system, less red tape and speedier licensing procedures are key to bringing in much-needed investments to Greece.

A 100-million-euro investment project on Chios for the development of a 5-star 700-room resort complete with museum and educational facility by Kerameia SA has been included in the government’s list of strategic “Fast Track” projects.

Greece’s airport deal with Frankfurt-based Fraport is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to the transport company’s CEO, Dr. Stefan Schulte.

Travel firm Minoan Group is waiting for the Greek Government to give the final approval for its tourism project on Crete to get off the ground.

Greece’s resilient tourism sector is still bringing in the cash, with all the more investors eager to place their bets on high-end accommodation facilities, Eurobank CEO Fokion Karavias said this week.

Greek small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) active in tourism and employing a set number of staff in the last three years can tap into EU grants – commonly known as ESPA funds – for the upgrade of tourism infrastructure and facilities.

Greece will simplify the “fast track” law in order to attract foreign investment, according to an announcement made by Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Mardas.

Greece’s assets fund is moving ahead with projects that have been put on hold since the elections in January, with top priorities the privatization of a 30 percent share of Athens International Airport (AIA) and 14 regional airports.