“Through the proposed provisions we can get even closer to our goal which is the consolidation of Greece as a global tourist power that stands out for its complex tourist offer and the sustainable development of destinations and the tourist product”, highlighted the Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, in the Production and Commerce Committee of the Assembly of the Republic, during the discussion of the bill “Strengthening tourist infrastructure and tourist education, updating the framework for the exercise of the profession of guides and timeshare rental, regulations for tour operators and other provisions to strengthen tourism”.
The Minister of Tourism, presenting the bill to the Parliament committee, he said that the new regulations are introduced in a period of positive messages and distinctions for Greek tourism. He specifically mentioned that In 2023, Greece entered the top ten most popular destinations in the world. And in 2024, at the start, both in terms of travel revenue and travel traffic, it shows special dynamics.
“However, we are at a point where it is essential to ensure that the conditions are in place for tourism to bring long-term benefits to the national economy and local communities. To this end, we open a new chapter for Greek tourism, which focuses on the qualitative development of tourism. In this new effort, we take advantage of the current dynamics and use all of our country’s comparative advantages. We are planning and implementing policies and actions today, for Greek tourism in the coming decades”, said Mr. Kefalogianni and noted that the guiding principle will be measure and balance, care for the protection of the natural and cultural environment, respect for human being and local communities. Clear objective of the proposed provisions, said the Minister of Tourism, she is sustainabilityO resilience and the competitiveness of tourist destinations and products.
Regarding the proposed provisions, the Minister of Tourism stated that it is proposed to resolve urban planning and licensing issues related to accommodation and special tourist infrastructure facilities. The procedures for licensing other types of tourist enterprises are simplified and improved. Obstacles to entrepreneurship are removed and a more favourable investment framework based on internationally accepted practices and with a view to environmental protection is sought. In addition, provisions are introduced to enhance accessibility to tourist infrastructure. Regulations are introduced for tourist camping organised for luxury living and this activity is upgraded from a quality brand to a separate type of tourist business.
With the account is placed deadline, for the compliance of tourist accommodation, main and non-main, and the installation of special tourist infrastructures based on current environmental legislation. The objective is to guarantee the existence of environmental licensing and the environmentally legal operation of these businesses, as stated by the Minister of Tourism. At the same time, the existing framework for co-owned hotels is completed, allowing rooms and apartments in these hotels, for sale or long-term rental, to be developed in the form of independent, vertical and divided properties. . With a regulation included in the bill, incentives are introduced for the creation of small-scale mixed tourist accommodation.
For maritime tourism
For marine tourism, The possibility of increasing the number of berths with floating platforms is foreseen, subject to additional financial compensation. In order to meet additional needs related to the operation and safety of ports, the construction of sanitary facilities for people with disabilities and the installation of fire-fighting equipment in port works are foreseen.
For mountain tourism
For mountain tourism, It is proposed to extend the deadline for operational and technical compliance of mountain shelters with current legislation until 31.12.2025. The basic condition is the consent of the competent forestry service.
With other provisions:
- The strategic environmental impact study for the delimitation of areas for integrated tourism development and the creation of complex tourist accommodation is approved with the issuance of a PD. “In other words, instead of the approval of its demarcation being done in two phases, as has been the case until now, with the new regulation it is stipulated that the respective Presidential Decree simultaneously provides for the environmental conditions for approval. In this way, the rigor of the process remains intact, since the approval of all the terms of the plan is surrounded by the increase in the procedural and institutional authority of the DP”, said Olga Kefalogianni and highlighted that from now on “the process is simplified and accelerated to the benefit of the administration and companies as well”, since the issuance of a separate decision for the approval of environmental conditions is omitted and everything is consolidated in a single administrative act.
- To promote other forms of tourism, control over the certification of medical tourism providers is reformulated. It is planned to create a register of medical tourism providers.
- the framework for the recognition and protection of curative natural resources is improved and, in order to streamline the process of their recognition, the mandatory reporting by management bodies to the competent service of the Ministry of Tourism is institutionalized.
- SPA-rejuvenation centers are covered by Law 4,442/2016.
- the possibility of operating tourist accommodation and restaurants within wine-growing units is expanded, to promote wine tourism.
Updating tourism education
Ms. Kefalogianni also referred to the provisions for updating tourism education and training and highlighted that issues related to higher education students in tourism are regulated and to restore the treatment of these students, medical and hospital care is provided, a student card is provided and documents are provided. It is also possible to classify graduates from these schools into tourism studies HEIs. At the same time, the form of administration of higher education professional training schools in tourism is being modernized.
Regarding your profession tourist guideharmonization is promoted “with the modern demands of the tourist market, the new trends in tourist demand”, said the Minister of Tourism.
At the same time, for timeshare accommodationthe framework is updated on the basis of European practices and the relevant legislation is amended to facilitate contracts with timeshare tenants. The tenant is given the possibility, during the period in which he is not using his timeshare, to include the tourist accommodation he has rented in a shared-use hotel rental programme.
Since Destination Management and Promotion Organisations are a strategic tool for tourism development, provisions are being introduced for their active participation in the promotion of destinations and their rational management and subsequent development. Amendments are being made to the existing provisions to allow agencies and representatives of the tourism market to participate in decision-making. A special tourism committee is being planned for these Organisations to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors. The annual destination promotion plans drawn up will be fully in line with the overall planning and objectives of the tourism promotion programme drawn up by the Ministry of Tourism.