Greek Tourism Ministry presents bill of Tourism to Ministerial Council

The new bill of the Ministry of Tourism was presented today by the Minister of Tourism Haris Theocharis, during the meeting of the cabinet. The bill includes a series of provisions, which resolve a number of issues in the tourism sector with significant economic, social, developmental, and environmental implications.
In detail, the new bill of the Ministry of Tourism includes:
1) The establishment of "Tourism Management and Development Organizations" (DMMO). The task of the Organizations will be to create a framework for cooperation and to provide appropriate incentives, at a geographical or thematic level, between the public and private sectors. This will ensure the strategic continuity in the promotion of tourism products and ensure the quality of services provided. In addition, the establishment of the Greek "Organization of Tourist Destinations of Global Scope" seeks to recognize those destinations that are of national importance, while at the same time establishing a framework for their protection through a) monitoring indicators of the burden of carrying capacity, b) development strategy for each destination and (c) coordinating the construction of the necessary infrastructure to support the destination.
The Tourism Management and Development Organizations, according to the instructions of the Pissaridis Committee, will be a key tool for changing the tourism model in Greece and treating distortions, such as overtourism in certain destinations and the corresponding backwardness of others.
2) The establishment of the "Organization for the Utilization of Thermal Resources", which aims at the development of thermal-thermal tourism or wellness tourism in Greece. The responsibilities of the Organization include holistic and sustainable tourism development, as well as the activation of private investment funds. It is noted that travel for health reasons belongs to the rapidly growing types of tourism in recent years. The expected annual growth rate for the period 2017-2022 is of the order of 7,5% in terms of wellness tourism, 6,4% for spa facilities, and 6,5% for thermal springs. The world market amounts to a total of 4,2 trillion. dollars. It is clear that Greece needs a national strategy for the utilization of thermal springs and other natural resources, in order to claim a share of this market, in which it operates to date.
3) The establishment of a "Management and Exploitation Body of the Zakynthos Shipwreck", which will deal specifically with all issues of protection and promotion of the specific attraction. The Shipwreck of Zakynthos is considered a tourist resource of national importance, as it is the second most visited and recognizable tourist destination in Greece, with 4.000 visitors daily and more than 1 million annually. Therefore it needs immediate specialized care. It is known that local interests are in conflict, preventing any kind of intervention to protect this modern "monument" and visitors. At the same time, due to the situation created, the Shipwreck is not sufficiently exploited. The new bill addresses the current state of immobility and gives due care to the safety of tourists and the prevention of accidents, which occur every year. As far as the Shipwreck itself is concerned, the new Agency is in charge of protecting it from damage and keeping it in a visitable condition.
4) Recommendation of the "Cruise Development Council" for the better coordination of the involved bodies. The role of the board is advisory. It is foreseen the representation of all the co-competent ministries at the level of general secretaries, as well as the participation of representatives of the bodies.
Finally, the new bill introduces a series of individual provisions on matters within the competence of the Ministry of Tourism. Indicatively, it is mentioned: a) the functional integration of main or non-main hotel accommodation, b) the time of withdrawal of the traffic of the DXTL open type urban city tour, c) the amendments of law 4276/2014 (A '155) and law. 4442/2016 (Α '230) for the obligation of the accommodations to register the notification number in ΜΗ.Τ.Ε. and d) the inclusion in the notification process of health stores, theaters, cinemas and swimming pools operating within special tourist infrastructure facilities. The extension of the notification process and the harmonization of rules and conditions for similar vehicle categories are in line with the general development logic. It is also emphasized that the common strategic pursuit of all the provisions in the new Bill of the Ministry of Tourism is the reduction of bureaucracy, in the direction of supporting and facilitating investment projects.
Source: RES-EAP
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: pixabay.com
- 1) Applications for the Best Tourism Villages 2025 are now open
- 2) Donation from HEDNO for the restoration of the Ottoman Bath of Kalloni in Lesvos
- 3) Sports Tourism | Ministerial meeting for the Euroleague Coaches Conference 2025
- 4) Holy Metropolis of Rhodes: Digital Promotion of Museums Network and Monuments
07/02 23:09
Grant payments for 4 hotel investments in Paxos, Lefkada, Zakynthos and Chania
07/02 18:40
Olga Kefalogianni in HORECA | Greece has experience in managing natural phenomena
07/02 15:06
FedHATTA: “Opening up” of Greek travel agencies to the Iranian market
07/02 14:35
07/02 13:49
07/02 13:26
Applications for the Best Tourism Villages 2025 are now open
07/02 13:02
Springer Reisen: 20 connections to Greek islands this summer
07/02 12:26
Greece: Nearly 30 million international air arrivals in 2024 - Who traveled where
07/02 11:19
Europe as a single tourist destination - A. Fiorentinos at the Destination Europe Summit 2025
07/02 06:55
Positive prospects for tourism in 2025 but major “thorns” remain
07/02 06:14
Donation from HEDNO for the restoration of the Ottoman Bath of Kalloni in Lesvos
06/02 18:58
Work on the Thessaloniki Flyover is progressing at a rapid pace
06/02 18:54
Sports Tourism | Ministerial meeting for the Euroleague Coaches Conference 2025
06/02 18:25
29.3 million international air arrivals in 2024, with clear signs of an extended season
06/02 16:43
06/02 15:49
06/02 14:42
Sotheby’s: The Athenian Riviera is first in demand for luxury properties
06/02 13:48
06/02 12:05
Travelers are paying attention to cost and quality, few to sustainability
06/02 11:57
Wyndham and HR Group expand into Germany, Austria and the Netherlands
06/02 07:37
How will Naxos deal with the risk of water shortages ahead of the tourist season
06/02 07:28
Attica Region: There is no overtourism in Athens - a warning for infrastructure
06/02 07:16
Grant payments for 4 hotel investments in Rhodes, Chania, Itilo and Sivota
06/02 07:05
06/02 06:11
Municipality of Folegandros: Prohibition of roaming or grazing animals in tourist areas
05/02 19:57
Milos Municipality attempts to block second investment for 5-star hotel
05/02 19:03
National Action Plan for Cycling, with development in cycling tourism
05/02 16:51
05/02 15:46
05/02 12:41
The first robotic restaurant with artificial intelligence at Barcelona Airport
05/02 12:40
Athens Airport: 2025 started on a positive note,+14.5% passengers in January
05/02 12:35
How foreign travel professionals will promote Greek destinations
05/02 11:45
Tourism: 4 Greek islands capture Americans’ 2025 vacation interest
05/02 07:04
Grants for a boat shelter in Halkidiki and hotels in Chania, Zagori, and Koroni
05/02 07:02
05/02 06:53
Conde Nast Traveller | Crete among the 29 best places to visit before summer
05/02 06:22
05/02 06:14
05/02 06:13
Holy Metropolis of Rhodes: Digital Promotion of Museums Network and Monuments
05/02 06:09
04/02 22:49
Main Patras-Pyrgos highway section due to finish July 31, open to traffic soon
04/02 20:18
Hellenic Republic President to receive new Ambassadors of Vietnam, Ireland, and Sweden
04/02 19:53
04/02 17:31
Pan-Cretan Forum | Promoting Cretan products in Cretan hotels for the 13th year
04/02 16:05
SKY Express: Free tickets for children and teachers on Santorini-Athens flights
04/02 14:57
04/02 14:40
04/02 14:01
SkyUp Airlines: Two new connections to Athens and Corfu from Moldova
04/02 11:34
Rethymno Hoteliers head | The upcoming tourist season is predicted to be "quite good"
04/02 11:25
European Hotels: "Stop" on single-use plastic packaging from 2030
04/02 07:13
Greek hotels: Revenues in 2024 soar 11% above 2023 - read the latest investments
04/02 06:58
Filming at Kallimarmaro Stadium in Athens to create an electronic map
03/02 23:01
03/02 18:11
03/02 17:15
Chania: Smart barriers to protect the Venetian port and its visitors
03/02 16:02
Rhodes: The season kicks off on March 28, wounds from "Bora" storm remains
03/02 15:53
03/02 15:08
Promotion of Lesvos in Istanbul - Participation in EMITT 2025
03/02 14:48
03/02 13:14
Wyndham Hotels: Agreement with Zafido Holding for a new hotel in Piraeus
03/02 12:25
03/02 11:03
HolidayCheck: These are the 50 most popular Greek hotels in Germany for 2025
03/02 10:29
Cruises to Chania make a positive first impression in 2025 - 1,347 visitors daily
03/02 06:38
iAlonissos: Digital promotion of local natural and cultural attractions
03/02 06:25
5 new hotel investments in Lefkada, Rhodes, Ios, Karystos and Trikala
02/02 20:08
The travel profile of expatriates from Australia - the rescue of Rex
02/02 06:48
01/02 13:58
Tourism in Turkey beats expectations - 62 million arrivals, $61 billion in revenue in 2024
01/02 07:04
Volotea: Codeshare cooperation with Aegean to run on 13 routes
31/01 18:11
10 new hotel investments in Corfu, Rhodes, Paros, Ios, Skiathos, Samos, Kalambaka and Kranidi
31/01 17:49
Booking.com | Hotels: Don't leave negative guest reviews unanswered
31/01 10:18
The Region of Crete at the FITUR exhibition - Promising prospects from Spanish-speaking markets
31/01 10:15
ITEP Survey: Hotel Performance stagnant in Greece in December
31/01 07:03
Municipality of Agrinio reacts to photovoltaic plant in Kremaston Lake - threat to tourism
31/01 06:54
31/01 06:07
Mitsis Group: Donation of an architectural study to enhance a beachfront in Crete
31/01 00:02
Commission: First comprehensive European strategy for tourism coming
30/01 23:08
Greek Culture Ministers to attend European conference in support of Ukraine's heritage
30/01 18:58
Cruise: Viking Libra to make maiden voyage in 2026 from Piraeus
30/01 17:56
Record year in 2024 for international air transport – Now “flying” above 2019
30/01 17:50
Accessible tourism on the beaches of the Municipality of Agios Vasilios, Crete
30/01 16:40
Travel | London is now the top destination for Greeks abroad
30/01 16:23
Aegean: 40% increase in available seats from Saudi Arabia in 2025
30/01 16:04
UK Tourism | Lesser-known destinations and experiential travel the main trend in 2025
30/01 14:35
Pancretan Association of Hotel Managers Seminars underway for 2025
30/01 13:22
Airbnb is “sweeping” Europe - Demand is growing faster than supply in Greece
30/01 11:17
Airbnb | 76 billion euros in revenue for hosts in Europe in 2024
30/01 11:09
Investments | Lifestyle Hotels with branded residences and alternative accommodations in focus
30/01 10:30
30/01 06:52
30/01 06:45
Tourism Observatory in the Region of Thessaly in Central Greece
30/01 06:40
Networking of the municipality of Aristotle with the municipality of Valletta in Malta
30/01 06:16
What will the exciting diving park in Stalis of Hersonissos be like
29/01 23:59
Dynamic promotion of the Greek city of Thessaloniki in the Irish market
29/01 22:59
Why France hits record high of 100 million international arrivals in 2024
29/01 22:48
29/01 19:18
Conde Nast Traveller | Milos and Paros are the top Greek islands
29/01 17:49
Thessaly: Innovation, experience, digitalization lead to lengthening of tourist season
29/01 17:04
The Canary Islands present their new strategy as a sustainable destination
29/01 16:44
Rethymno Carnival | “Come to the Light” with a rich program of events
FedHATTA: “Opening up” of Greek travel agencies to the Iranian market
Applications for the Best Tourism Villages 2025 are now open
Grant payments for 4 hotel investments in Paxos, Lefkada, Zakynthos and Chania
Springer Reisen: 20 connections to Greek islands this summer
Greece: Nearly 30 million international air arrivals in 2024 - Who traveled where
Olga Kefalogianni in HORECA | Greece has experience in managing natural phenomena
Positive prospects for tourism in 2025 but major “thorns” remain
Donation from HEDNO for the restoration of the Ottoman Bath of Kalloni in Lesvos
Europe as a single tourist destination - A. Fiorentinos at the Destination Europe Summit 2025
World Taste Atlas: Greek cuisine is the second best on the planet
29.3 million international air arrivals in 2024, with clear signs of an extended season
Greek capital of Athens among top-10 most beautiful cities for the second time
Sports Tourism | Ministerial meeting for the Euroleague Coaches Conference 2025
Work on the Thessaloniki Flyover is progressing at a rapid pace
Airbnb is “sweeping” Europe - Demand is growing faster than supply in Greece
PM at Axia discussion: Greece offering great investment opportunities in 2023
ATHEX chief: Venture Capital for 'new generation' digital fintech solutions
Tri-city winter luncheon unites upstate New York Philoptochos chapters