Kefalogianni: Tourism brings multiple benefits to the national economy and supports local societies

"Apart from its contribution to the GDP of the Greek economy, we want tourism to have a qualitative impact on the country, the environment, the people, the local communities", Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni stated in an interview with Athens-Macedonian News Agency on Sunday.

The temporal and spatial expansion of tourist activity throughout the territory, and the enrichment and diversification of the tourist product, are central objectives of the strategy of the Ministry of Tourism, with the Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni making special reference to the recent bill of the Ministry of Tourism, the law , now, 5121/2024, "Strengthening of tourism infrastructure and tourism education, updating the framework for the practice of the profession of guides and timeshares, regulations of tourist operators and other provisions for the strengthening of tourism.

The new law, explained Kefalogianni, contributes to a turn towards the sustainable and qualitative development of Greek tourism. The goal, as he emphasises, is to achieve balance, the golden ratio between supporting local economies and protecting the environment. That is, the point where the protection and enhancement of the natural and cultural environment meets the development of local societies, adds the Minister, underlining that: "Tourism brings multiple benefits to the national economy and supports local societies, and we should ensure today that this will continue in the future".

Referring to the short-term property rental market (Airbnb), Mrs. Kefalogianni pointed out that the pressure observed by tourist flows in certain areas and also in urban centers is largely due to it. As well as the inability to find housing for residents in urban centers, but also for workers in various industries, in island and mainland areas. In fact, he soon announced new interventions by the government, after the tax ones that are already in place. "No one wants the city of Athens, for example, to turn into a tourist park," said Kefalogianni and added: "We want a city where its citizens can first find a place to live but also a place to do business." Explaining that the intervention of the Ministry of Tourism in the field of short-term real estate leases, will be at the level of safety and operational specifications.

Regarding the cruise sector, the minister was clear "Redesign is needed, in order to adapt the activity to the measure of the country and the infrastructure of the Greek destinations". She also added that the strengthening of special forms of tourism will increase tourist traffic in all regions.

Olga Kefalogianni also talked about a new type of tourist business created by the new law, which is none other than the organized luxury living tourist camp (the so-called glamping), which responds, as she said, to the need of the traveler who wants the contact with nature, but with high standard amenities and a small environmental footprint. We are not talking about converting existing campsites into glamping, but about a new product that will have specifications that will cover modern demand trends", added Kefalogianni.

At the same time, with the new law, the institutional framework regarding the timeshare rental of accommodation, as well as condo hotels and complex tourist accommodation, was updated. "We seek to create new products or modernise legislation for existing ones. Tourism, trends in supply and demand, are constantly changing, and as a leading country we must be ahead of developments."

Finally, the minister made a special reference to the efforts made by the Ministry of Tourism to utilise culture as a tourist resource, which will embrace the new tourist profile of the country. This effort also includes the co-organization by the Ministry of Tourism, The Greek National Tourism Organisation and the Acropolis Museum of the exhibition of photographs by the famous American photographer Robert McCabe presented in the museum's periodical exhibition hall by on May 28 until September 8, 2024. "Robert McCabe's photo exhibition is dedicated to preserving the authenticity, character, natural environment and great cultural capital of our country, in full alignment with our vision of a sustainable tourism that serves the values ​​of a Greece that respects its past and continues to inspire and fascinate people from every corner of the earth" highlighted the Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, describing her personal vision for connecting culture with tourism.