The need for coordinated action and a common vision between the State, Local Government and the business world to ensure the sustainability of Greek tourism was underlined by the Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Andreas Fiorentinos, during his speech at the conference of the Union of Young Local Governments of Greece (ENA) and the Municipality of Andros, which took place yesterday, Thursday, June 26, on the island, on the topic: “Sustainable Tourism and Development in the Cyclades Islands: The Challenges for the Future”.

Mr. Fiorentinos pointed out that sustainability is a basic prerequisite for the resilience of tourist destinations and the progress of local societies. As he noted:

"Tourism is a complex and people-centered product, and only through the cooperation of all stakeholders can its long-term sustainability be ensured. The modernization of infrastructure, the enrichment of the tourism product, and the strengthening of employee training are of key importance for achieving this goal."

The Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organization made particular reference to the role of islands, pointing out that tourism development should not alter, but rather strengthen their character. "With the proper utilization of technological and other capabilities, we can ensure tourism for all, without exclusions," he emphasized.

In this context, he presented the initiatives that have already been launched by the State, focusing on the “New Special Spatial Planning Framework for Tourism”, which, as he mentioned, is being prepared in collaboration with the Ministries of Environment and Energy and Tourism.

The new framework, according to him, will contribute:

to the promotion of tourism investments,

to the support of traditional and new forms of tourism,

to the extension of the tourist season,

as well as to the construction of the necessary infrastructure required by sustainable tourism development.

Mr. Fiorentinos also highlighted the government’s support for the upgrade of tourism infrastructure, emphasizing that:

“The Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has secured over 380 million euros through the Recovery and Resilience Fund. euros, in order to advance the modernization of tourism infrastructure throughout the country”.

As he clarified, the interventions include upgrading facilities, improving accessibility, strengthening competitiveness, as well as education and training in the tourism sector.

“Our goal is to provide a high-quality experience to visitors, so that Greece can compete equally with the top tourist destinations worldwide, as it deserves”, he noted.

The conference in Andros brought together important executives from the field of local government, the scientific community and civil society. Among the participants were:

Mayor of Andros, Theodosis Sousoudis,
Prefect of Andros, Anna Vrettou,
Secretary General of the Technical Chamber of Greece, Antonis Giannikouris,
Assistant Professor of the Department of Tourism Studies of the University of Piraeus, Kristi Agapitos,
Founder of EKA and Andros Routes, Olga Karagianni,
And the President of ENA, Nektarios Kalantzis.

In the photo: The speakers of the conference in Andros. From left, President of ENA, N. Kalantzis, Founder of EKA & Andros Routes, O. Karagianni, Prefect of Andros, A. Vrettou, Mayor of Andros, Th. Sousoudis, General Secretary of TEE, A. Giannikouris, General Secretary of TEE, G. G. of the Greek National Tourism Organization, A. Fiorentinos, the Assistant Professor of the Department of Tourism Studies of the University of Piraeus, K. Agapitos, and the coordinator of the conference, El. Politou.