Greek Tourism Ministry Launches Public Consultation On Draft Bill

The Greek Tourism Ministry has launched a public consultation on a draft bill that aims to overcome barriers that have been hindering the industry’s development for years.

This is the ministry’s second legislative initiative for Greek tourism in a year’s time.

The public consultation of the draft tourism bill entitled “Reorganization of the Tourism Ministry, special tourism infrastructure regulations, education and training in tourism, agritourism and other provisions,” will end Friday, 28 February 2014.

The draft law aims to reorganize and strengthen the role of the Tourism Ministry; upgrade and convert the Greek National Tourism Organization into a modern Greek tourism promotion agency; develop special interest tourism forms; and strengthen education and training in the tourism sector.

In particular, the draft law regulates matters relating to the efficient operation of specific types of tourism infrastructure such as tourist ports, complex tourism accommodation and ski resorts.

It promotes the development of agritourism, strengthens quality tourism and settles issues relating to the efficient management of land used for tourism development.

In a special chapter, the draft law introduces changes to the operating framework for tourism education schools and training while it also upgrades the level of training of tour guides.

The ministry, taking into consideration the results of the public consultation, will submit the bill to a Parliament vote.

For more information (in Greek), press here.