Greek tourism goes ‘green'

By Makedonia Koutsoumpeli l eTN Greece
Greece is keen on implementing tourism measures that would be environmentally- friendly.
Greece's Ministry of Tourism officially announced a new initiative promoting the country's "Green tourism," as part of a national strategic plan for tourism development over the next years.

This development comes two months after the catastrophic fires that afflicted regions all over the country, especially the western Peloponnese and the area near Ancient Olympia.

Greek Tourism Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos, who spoke at the recently-held 23rd International Tourism Exhibition Philoxenia, said that the country's tourism ministry will devise a pilot program for tourism development for the whole country based on protection of the environment. According to him, environmentally-friendly tourist facilities and infrastructures will be developed.

The pilot program exploring the potential of such an effort will start with the Tourism Development Company (ETA) facilities in northern Greece, putting the tourism state property to good use.

Under the "green plan," eco-campings, eco-marinas, mountain-hiking and walking tours, to name just a few, will be created, while holistic forms of tourism that are compatible with the environment (such us tourism villages and environmental friendly tourist accommodations), more effective waste management and a widespread use of alternative energy sources for use by tourist will be promoted.

According to Mr. Spiliotopoulos, "whatever the blend of tourist policy is, the ultimate success lies in two indispensable ingredients–the natural and cultural environment."

In addition to adopting green tourism measure, the country's new tourism model is being aimed directly at prioritizing Greece's new key position as a preferred tourist destination, with quality being a top priority as well as advertising and promotion (including a digital technology strategy targeting tourism), and investments and business ventures.

Meanwhile, this year's edition of the Philoxenia meet saw 803 exhibitors, with 690 of the total number being Greek and 113 from 30 countries such as Bulgaria, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Hungary, India, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Maldives, Netherlands, Portugal , Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Uzbekistan.

November 9, 2007   Posted in: Greece