2024-03-02 07:52:11
“We are putting together a tourist product that will be developed with moderation and balance in mind”
The Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, gave a speech at the “Tourism and Sustainability” day, organized at the Acropolis Museum by the Hellenic Society for Environment and Culture. The minister referred to the vision, but also the strategy, to make Greece a model of sustainable tourism development.
We have the political will but also the tools, the minister stressed, to take advantage of the opportunities that can lead to a stable and sustainable future for Greek tourism.
Through a network of actions and policies, emphasized Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, we are creating the conditions for a new beginning for Greek tourism, aiming at the sustainability of the destinations and the tourist product. As he pointed out, we are putting together a tourism product that will be developed with moderation and balance in mind, so that economic development ensures opportunities for everyone, the natural environment and cultural capital are protected and new destinations are highlighted.
Mrs. Kefalogianni emphasized the need to move beyond the outdated model that prioritizes quantity over quality and to focus on the long-term development and resilience of destinations, establishing environmental protection rules.
Specifically referring to the ministry’s initiatives and planning for the sustainable development of tourism, she pointed out:
Our country’s initiative for the establishment of the Observatory for Coastal and Marine Tourism in the Mediterranean, with the objective of measuring and monitoring the environmental, social and economic impacts of coastal and marine tourism.
The establishment of the Regional Tourism Council with the responsibility of formulating recommendations for the planning of a balanced tourism development both at the national level and in the individual regions.
The Standard Tourist Destinations of Integrated Management which will concern destinations with special characteristics and potential.
He also added that through actions financed by the Recovery and Resilience Fund, projects are promoted for the development of special forms of tourism and the upgrading of accessibility infrastructure, with the aim of protecting the environment.
He also referred to the upcoming Special Spatial Framework for tourism which will be an important tool for the State, local government and the tourism market, identifying an organized way of development and laying a solid foundation for the use of land in tourism activity.
Finally, regarding the new approach to promoting and promoting the tourist product, he pointed out that our aim is to highlight the differentiating features of our tourist offer, also aiming to spread visitors throughout the territory and promote sustainable practices, experiences and activities.