Greece: Certification Seals for Pet-friendly Hotels, Breweries and Olive Mills Accessible to All Visitors

The Greek Tourism Ministry will introduce new seals to certify the quality of the services offered by tourism destinations and enterprises in Greece. The seals will ascertain that defined standards, such as those concerning accessibility, have been met.

According to new legislation published recently in the Government Gazette, the new seals concern enterprises, including breweries and olive mills, which are accessible to all visitors, as well as hotels that offer pet-friendly services and businesses running glamping accommodation sites.

Breweries, olive mills and cheese factories

Italian travel agents visiting an olive oil extraction plant in Arcadia, October 2021. Photo source: GNTO

The seal certifies that breweries that produce Greek beer; olive mills that produce Greek olive oil; and cheese factories that produce cheese and dairy products, offer high quality facilities, meet specific requirements and ensure access and offer services (tours, tasting events) to all, including people with disabilities and reduced mobility.

Τourism destinations & enterprises

Businesses in the tourism field and destinations that meet specific criteria and standards and are accessible to people with disabilities and reduced mobility are eligible to receive the seal. Criteria include special ramps for wheelchairs and special pavement markings, among others.

Pet-friendly hotels

The pet-friendly seal certifies that tourism accommodation facilities meet the criteria and provide the required services in order to temporarily host house pets that accompany guests.

Glamping sites

Glamping, Photo source: TIF-HELEXPO

The new legislation sees the establishment of a special collective body that will be in charge of inspecting glamping sites that are up for certification. The body will see to ensure that quality criteria and operational standards are met before approving applications. The certification seal for businesses in Greece that offer glamping accommodation among their services was presented last October.

The new certification seals will have a special logo and will be given by the Tourism Ministry to eligible businesses. Information with regard to criteria and requirements can be obtained from the ministry.

The new tourism legislation Ν.4875/2021 (in Greek) that was published in the Government Gazette (ΦΕΚ 250 Α’ 23.12.2021) can be seen here.