The northern port city of Thessaloniki aims to boost its connection with the rest of mainland Greece and the islands by offering seaplane services next summer after submitting its application to the transport ministry this week for the creation of a metropolitan waterway.
Greece's first waterway will be constructed at the port of the Ionian island of Corfu, according to a decision signed on Saturday by Merchant Marine Minister Miltiades Varvitsiotis and Deputy Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michalis Papadopoulos.
The Greek Tourism Ministry, on 27 June, tabled a new draft bill in Parliament that aims to strenthen tourism entrepreneurship and resolve various issues in the sector.
Although Greek company Hellenic Seaplanes is ready to begin constructing waterways in ports in Greece, the slow-moving process to obtain a license for their construction may put plans on hold for the 2014 tourism season.
Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said the Greek Government would offer its full support to the bill that simplifies the licensing and operation of waterways in Greek waters.
The Municipality of Almyros has agreed for the construction of a waterway at its port as part of a plan to launch new investments in the area for the development of new job positions.
Waterway investments may finally begin to proceed in Greece and seaplanes allowed to operate in Greek waters without hassle as specific rules for their licensing and operation are included in a bill that was recently approved by the Greek Parliament.
Canadian Ambassador to Greece, Robert Peck, last month officially requested the immediate processing of necessary legislation and cutting of red tape for waterway investments to proceed in Greece and seaplanes to operate in Greek waters.
The 26th Philoxenia International Tourism Exhibition, held this year on 18-21 November at Helexpo in Thessaloniki, roughly hosted 500 exhibitors from Greece and 12 other countries (Egypt, Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Ghana, India, Cyprus, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Turkey, and Tunisia).
The establishment of an aviation chamber and the development of Greece’s general aviation to the benefit of areas where Greek regional airports are located are two issues that must be seen to immediately, according to the common conclusion of speakers at the fifth scientific...
