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Greek Tourism Ministry Certifies 66 Thermal Spring Facilities
Posted On 16 Oct 2019
Tag: Development of Thermal Springs in Greece, Greece, Greece investment, Greece news, Greece Thermal Tourism, Greece thermal tourism facilities, Greece tourism and travel, Greek news, health tourism, health tourism Greece, Hellenic Association of Municipalities with Thermal Springs, investing in thermal springs, Manos Konsolas, Spa Tourism, spa treatments, spa treatments Greece, special interest tourism, thermal springs Greece, thermal tourism, tourism minister Harry Theoharis
Photo Source: Visit Greece
Sixty-six thermal spring facilities across Greece have been approved by the Tourism Ministry with an additional 52 under assessment, according to Deputy Tourism Minister Manos Konsolas.
Speaking in parliament recently, Konsolas said a relative ministerial decision had been signed by Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis, and also noted that the springs of Apollonas on the island of Ikaria will soon be licensed to operate.
A nationwide study published last year by the Hellenic Association of Municipalities with Thermal Springs found that Greece’s thermal spring facilities can triple revenues to some 390 million euros per year if they are upgraded. Once this is done, the number of potential visitors to the nation’s thermal spa facilities can reach 3.1 million.
Konsolas said the authorization of Greece’s thermal spring facilities have been delayed due to lack of supporting documents.
Deputy Tourism Minister Manos Konsolas
The ministry has placed the promotion of thermal spring, health and wellness tourism high on its agenda, said Konsolas, adding that authorities are now looking into ways to develop this untapped market.
In this direction, the ministry will be revising the institutional framework for the certification of providers active in the field of health tourism.
He also said that the ministry would be offering incentives to attract investments in health tourism, support the creation of clusters between hospitals, medical centers and hotels, as well as public-private partnerships.
There are currently more than 124 thermal springs across Greece.
A HUGE “IF”
“…can triple revenues to some 390 million euros per year if they are upgraded.”
I was there to work on this in 2014. Prior to the election of Tsipras. Do people (the public) appreciate how much upgrading is needed? Where will funding come from. How will you get Greeks to agree to agree? Greece needs a two prong strategy one for thermal springs and one for “real” medical tourism. Greece has so much capability but everyone points fingers and waits for someone else to be the leader. Greece as a country has to “want” to develop medical tourism and personally, as a leading expert on the topic worldwide, I don’t see it. I don’t feel it. So much potential, so little commitment.