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Greece Aiming for Luxury Tourism with Six Key Actions
Posted On 03 Dec 2020
Tag: Coronavirus, coronavirus Greece, coronavirus pandemic, coronavirus travel, Covid-19, Greece, Greece 10-year tourism strategy, Greece tourism strategy, Harry Theoharis, Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce Forum, Panhellenic Exporters Association of Greece, tourism and travel, tourism and travel Greece
Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis presented this week six actions as part of a tourism sector overhaul focused on quality and aimed at attracting higher income visitors to Greece in the coming years as part of the government’s 10-year tourism strategy.
“Our country can develop a range of products aimed at high-income visitors, offering luxury accommodation at 5-star facilities and above,” said Theoharis during the virtual conference organized by the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce and the Panhellenic Exporters Association of Greece.
Looking ahead to 2030, Theoharis said the plan focuses on actions that will enhance luxury tourism with emphasis on sustainable development and the promotion of genuine experiences for tourists with respect to local communities and the environment.
The six actions presented by Theoharis are:
- establishing a framework of operation for long-term leases of property in condo hotels
- revising specifications for the creation of golf courses in Greece
- establishing specifications and certification for “Glamping” activities (ie luxury camping services)
- drawing up a legal framework for the development and promotion of diving tourism
- creating new port facilities and entering concession deals for the operation of marinas with individuals with the aim of upgrading services offered
- certifying 12 thermal springs and the formulation of a special plan for the integration of natural springs in wellness and spa tourism, which already accounts for 6.5 percent of the tourism market.
Referring to Greece’s effective management of the Covid-19 crisis, Theoharis said “this period has helped us export ‘brand Greece’, not only as an idea, but also as one of the best tourist destinations in the world… a Greece on the technological forefront, which welcomes visitors in safety and with care”.
It should not be one-size-fits-all strategy. Greece has the massive advantage of variety of landscapes, weather conditions etc, and local authorities in different regions should be encouraged and given the tools and the means to develop the most appropriate local tourism strategies – within a national framework. Even in different areas within the same region, the strategies should be differentiated. It requires more work, but it is the best way forward.
Most of the 5 star plus Hotels ie the Ikos group, yes offer luxury but the give nothing to the resorts where they are. Guests do not leave the premises unless to hire their free mini and go off for a ride around the Island. The only people who profit from them are the Hotel owners and Tour Opetators. The low cost visitors put more into the economy than the so called high class visitor. Low cost eat out thrice daily plus drink in the bars etc and usually end up spending more than these so called high rollers. There is room in the market for everyone but know the low cost give more to the local economy
It would be worthy to refer also the seaplanes construction marinas that didn’t work finally. Maybe it is an issue that we have to look at it.