Greece is investing €139 million to upgrade its network of tourist ports, aiming to enhance its marine tourism sector, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni announced.
Speaking at a conference organized by the Greek Marinas Association, Ms. Kefalogianni outlined the project’s goals, which include modernizing infrastructure, integrating digital services, improving accessibility, and reducing environmental impact.
She underscored Greece's strong position in global marine tourism, citing its extensive coastline, favorable climate, and maritime tradition.
The government views marine tourism as a key driver of economic growth, benefiting national and local economies.
The port upgrade, funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, will incorporate digitalization, including an AI-powered platform for tracking and managing marine tourism infrastructure and promoting marinas.
Ms. Kefalogianni also highlighted recent legislative changes to facilitate infrastructure projects, such as increasing mooring capacity through floating docks, and the forthcoming Special Spatial Planning Framework for tourism.
As part of its sustainability strategy, the ministry has partnered with the World Tourism Organization to establish the Observatory for Coastal and Marine Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean, which will monitor environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Ms. Kefalogianni called for collaboration among stakeholders to solidify Greece’s position as a premier global destination for marine tourism, emphasizing the nation’s potential to lead with top-tier services and a commitment to excellence.