Minister of Tourism Highlights Strategic Development of Greek Tourism at National Conference
The Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, emphasized the strategic development of Greek tourism during her address at the conference “Greek Tourism – A National Affair”. She underlined the importance of collaboration between the government, local authorities, stakeholders, and the private sector to further enhance a sector that serves as a cornerstone of the Greek economy.
Ms. Kefalogianni hailed the dynamic growth of Greek tourism as a national success, pointing out its historic achievements that have placed Greece among the top ten global tourist destinations. According to the Minister, 2024 is expected to set a new benchmark with increased visitor numbers and tourism revenue. She also highlighted the successful extension of the tourism season beyond the peak summer months.
The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by the tourism sector, including geopolitical instability, the climate crisis, and rapid technological advancements.
“It is crucial to ensure that tourism continues to benefit the national economy and local communities in the coming years,” she stated.
Ms. Kefalogianni also stressed the Ministry’s focus on qualitative and sustainable growth, showcasing initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience of destinations, balancing development with environmental respect, and creating added value for local communities.
Concluding her remarks, Ms. Kefalogianni expressed her confidence in Greek tourism becoming a global model for sustainable development while maintaining its multifaceted and competitive nature.
“In this new era for Greek tourism, we seize every opportunity to maximize benefits for the economy and society,” she concluded.
In an interview with journalist Nikos Chatzinikolaou, the Minister reiterated that the national tourism strategy aims to move beyond the traditional “sun and sea” model toward qualitative growth. She referred to two consecutive record-breaking years but cautioned against complacency, emphasizing the creation of a multifaceted tourism product that offers unique travel experiences year-round.
On the next steps, Ms. Kefalogianni highlighted a new tourism bill and government interventions, introducing a framework for regulating short-term rental properties for the first time. The legislation establishes operational and safety standards, enabling the Ministry of Tourism, in cooperation with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue, to oversee tourism products effectively.
Additionally, she elaborated on the innovative program included in the bill for ranking accommodations based on environmental performance. She also detailed the Recovery and Resilience Fund investments, which finance the development and upgrading of infrastructure supporting niche tourism sectors such as mountainous and winter tourism, maritime tourism, agritourism, gastronomy tourism, diving tourism, and health and wellness tourism.
Finally, the Minister highlighted the role of digital technologies in enhancing the travel experience, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence for personalized services, improving tourism education, and upgrading workforce training in tourism services. She emphasized the necessity of strengthening Greece’s tourism promotion and brand identity.
