Τον σχεδιασμό της ελληνικής Κυβέρνησης για ένα βιώσιμο μέλλον στον τουρισμό στην Ελλάδα, ανέλυσε η Υπουργός Τουρισμού, Όλγα Κεφαλογιάννη, με μήνυμά της, στο 5ο Φόρουμ για την Νοτιοανατολική Ευρώπη και την Ανατολική Μεσόγειο, το οποίο συνδιοργανώθηκε στην Ουάσιγκτον από το Οικονομικό Φόρουμ των Δελφών, το Ελληνοαμερικανικό Συμβούλιο Ηγεσίας και την Καθημερινή.
Η κ. Κεφαλογιάννη υπογραμμίζει ότι η ελληνική κυβέρνηση παραμένει σταθερή στη δέσμευσή της να τοποθετήσει τον τουρισμό ως βασικό πυλώνα στο νέο αναπτυξιακό μοντέλο για την οικονομία. Σημειώνει πως εστιάζουν στη δημιουργία των απαραίτητων συνθηκών για ένα νέο κεφάλαιο στην τουριστική ανάπτυξη, που τοποθετεί με έμφαση τη βιωσιμότητα στον πυρήνα του. Προσθέτει, δε, πως αξιοποιώντας τη μοναδική ευκαιρία ευρωπαϊκής χρηματοδότησης μέσω του μηχανισμού ανάκαμψης και ανθεκτικότητας της ΕΕ, η Ελλάδα στοχεύει να διαφοροποιήσει και να ενισχύσει το τουριστικό της χαρτοφυλάκιο, με έργα που θα υποστηρίξουν την αναβάθμιση της τουριστικής υποδομής, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των ορεινών θερέτρων, των εγκαταστάσεων σπα και ευεξίας, των καταδυτικών αξιοθέατων και των μαρινών για σκάφη αναψυχής. Υπογράμμισε, δε, πως στόχος του είναι να βρεθεί μια ισορροπία μεταξύ των αναγκών των ανθρώπων και της διατήρησης των φυσικών και πολιτιστικών μας πόρων, καθώς και να ενθαρρύνουν τις τοπικές κοινωνίες να συμμετέχουν στην τουριστική ανάπτυξη προωθώντας την οικονομική ενδυνάμωση.
«Στόχος μας είναι να σφυρηλατησουν συνεργασίες, να αντιμετωπίσουμε κοινές προκλήσεις και να εξερευνήσουμε νέες προοπτικές και συνέργειες. Τα αποφασιστικά βήματα, τώρα, είναι απαραίτητα για τη διασφάλιση ενός βιώσιμου μέλλοντος για τον τουρισμό καθώς και για τη διαφύλαξη των αξιοσημείωτων θησαυρών της νοτιοανατολικής Ευρώπης και της ανατολικής Μεσογείου», ανέφερε κλείνοντας.
Διαβάστε ολόκληρο το μήνυμα εδώ:
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to address this fifth South East Europe and East Mediterranean conference. I would like to congratulate the organizers for bringing together policy makers, diplomats, academics, and journalists to engage in discussions on the important issues concerning this dynamic and diverse part of the world. I would also thank you for this opportunity to briefly refer to the efforts and planning of the Greek government to ensure a sustainable future for tourism in our country. Our region, is characterized by a rich, environmental, social, economic and cultural diversity. The unique cultural treasures and natural beauties coupled with a favorable climate, have a track for a significant number of visitors over the years. The Greek government is steadfast in its commitment to position tourism as a key pillar in the new development model for our economy. Despite facing unprecedented challenges our tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience. The latest data indicates a resurgence and full recovery in tourism activity with significant growth in both number of visitors and revenue.
2023 marked a combination of a growth cycle that started a decade ago. Over the course of the past 10 years Greece has been transformed into a well-established travel destination with global appeal, however, we acknowledge that success brings its own unique set of challenges and that the road ahead requires that shift in perspective. Our focus is now set to create the necessary conditions for a new chapter in tourism development, one that emphatically places sustainability at its core. The Greek Ministry of Tourism is working closely with stakeholders to establish robust foundations for the future of tourism in our country. Safeguarding natural and cultural resources, lies at the heart of our strategy as we work to incorporate sustainable practices into every aspect of the industry. We are also committed to introducing novel products and experiences, expand activities across the country to protect our diverse landscapes and highlight the potential of our tourism offering. By leveraging a unique opportunity through funding from the EU recovery and resilience facility, Greece aims to diversify and enhance its tourism portfolio. Different projects are on their way to support upgrading for tourism infrastructure, including mountain resorts, spa and wellness facilities, diving attractions and yacht marinas. We are also allocating funds to promote gastronomy and wine tourism, as well as to improve accessibility to beaches across Greece. We believe that these projects will help expand tourism activity across the country and throughout the year, as well as to support a balanced regional development, and they will also help unleash the full potential for new growth and trigger new investment opportunities.
In recent years, the tourism sector has consistently taken a leading role in terms of attracting new investment. Greece has emerged as an attractive destination for both international and domestic investment capital, particularly as our government strive to create an investor friendly environment. Investments in the tourism sector compatible with the beauty of Greece’s landscapes are especially encouraged. Aligned with sustainable tourism principles, they can create world-class establishments that respect environment, while providing travelers, unforgettable and fulfilling experience.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the core, we strive to strike a balance at the peoples needs and the preservation of our natural and cultural resources, to encourage local communities to participate in tourism development and promote economic empowerment.
Closing we firmly believe that Greece stands at the threshold of a new era in tourism. We are actively creating ties with other nations in our region sharing knowledge and experience for mutual benefit.
Our goal is to forge collaborations, address shared challenges and explore new prospects and synergies.
Taking decisive steps now is essential to ensure a sustainable future for tourism as well as to safeguard the remarkable treasures of southeast Europe and the East Med. Thank you for all your attention and I look forward to the valuable insights that will certainly emerge from this important conference.
