Greece Looking to Boost Sea Tourism on Kos, Patmos and Astypalea

Developing yachting, diving, and cruise tourism and integrating these forms into the overall travel experience of Kos, Patmos, and Astypalea islands topped the agenda of a ministry meeting this week.

On the initiative of Deputy Tourism Minister Manos Konsolas, the mayors of Astypalaia, Kos, and Patmos, Nikos Komineas, Theodosis Nikitaras, and Lefteris Pentes, the head of the Patmos Port Authority Manolis Gryllis, and Union of Cruise Ship Owners & Association Members President Theodore Kontes met to discuss the creation of a marina system on the islands that will be linked with the announced seaplane network in the Dodecanese and the Aegean.

Konsolas said the ministry would be lending municipal authorities the support necessary for them to move ahead with space allocation and licensing procedures for the marinas.

He went on to note that the selected marina projects could be materialized through concession or sub-concession deals with strategic partners or through public-private partnerships.

Other issues discussed at this week’s meeting included the further expansion of the island ports so as to be able to cater to larger cruise ships. In this direction, Konsolas called on the mayors of Kos, Patmos, and Astypalea to authorize the submitted master plans for the projects, which must also foresee the creation of passenger terminals.

“Cruise and marine tourism combined with the seaplane, create new possibilities for tourism and viable development,” said Konsolas.