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Kountoura Outlines Greek Tourism Policy
Posted On 10 Jul 2015
Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura outlined the key objectives of the government’s tourism policy and referred to the contribution of the tourism sector to the Greek economy, during her speech at the Economist conference entitled “Resurrecting the Greek Economy: Great expectations?”, held in Athens on Thursday.
While listing the main objectives of the government’s tourism policy, Ms. Kountoura said that the government’s main target is to extend the season. “We are aiming for tourism 12 months a year. Already as of this year, leading tour operators of the world market are expanding their activities from 180 to 215 days,” she underlined.
According to the alternate minister, alternative forms of tourism — sea, medical, congress, religious — are in the process of development and are expected to contribute decisively to the extension of the season and to the benefit of Greek destinations that today are not destinations of international interest.
She added that the ministry is focusing on introducing Greece to new markets, creating new tourist products and codifying tourism legislation.
Ms. Kountoura underlined that the ministry’s key priority is to attract investment initially in the tourism sector and gradually in sectors related to tourism. At this point, she informed the audience that the ministry is making efforts to do away with bureaucracy.
All very well, but unless the local authorities “buy in” to these ideas, it will be waste of time. Here on Corfu, no sunbeds / umbrellas until mid June although tourists were here from the end of March!!. Also, infrastructure needs massive improvement – collection rubbish from bins is just one example.