Greece Offers Funding Tools to Boost Tourism Growth

Wellness tourism. Photo source: Visit Greece

Investors active in tourism can benefit from millions of euros in funding tools announced by the Greek government to help tourism growth, said Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki during the recent Olympia Forum III.

Addressing the forum organized by the Delphi Economic Forum and Patris newspaper, Zacharaki referred to the announcement of 100 million euros for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) out of a total of 200 million euros, which she said will go into energy and digital upgrades.

She went on to mention funding opportunities budgeted at 170 million euros for wellness and gastronomy tourism development, adding that ESPA and RFF funds will be allocated for accessibility, digitalization, diving park development and the upgrade of four of Greece’s main ski centers.

Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki speaking at the Olympia Forum III.

Additional funding will be offered by the Culture Ministry for cultural heritage works including 12 million euros for the development of Ancient Olympia, she said referring to the vast potential for growth of the Ilia prefecture, which is a top government priority.

Meanwhile, in September, the development & investments ministry announced that it was accepting applications through to December 5 for a new round of tourism investment support open to all tourism-related businesses.

Aldemar Resorts CEO and Hellenic Association of Entrepreneurs (EENE) VP Alexandros Angelopoulos speaking at the Olympia Forum III.

Speaking during the same event, Aldemar Resorts CEO and the Hellenic Association of Entrepreneurs (EENE) VP Alexandros Angelopoulos underlined the importance of infrastructure in keeping the tourist flows strong as well as to the need of ensuring balanced tourist distribution and growth across all regions.