At a time when tourism has a significant increase in our country each year and the need for balanced growth is a priority for the state and all stakeholders, Halki of the Dodecanese manages to achieve the almost ideal one: to welcome more than 150,000 visitors every summer, to have 95% of their high quality. Housing for public officials, and a dramatic decrease in the environmental footprint.

“Halki lives mainly on tourism,” notes the island’s mayor, Angelos Frangakis, speaking to the Athens and Macedonian News Agency, stressing that businesses operating in tourism (rented rooms, taverns, beaches). In total, the island has about 850 beds, including a 19 -room municipal hostel that, according to the mayor, is “full”.
The vivacity of the island is not exhausted in tourism.

In Halki there are about 250 permanent residents, and there are also 15 professional fishermen following seasonal fishing activity. During the tourist season, visitors mainly come from Great Britain, France and Italy, while many are “repeaters” who return every year to enjoy “clear waters, hospitality, gastronomy and tranquility” as Mr Frangakis typically says, ”

Local community can withstand

One of the main achievements of the island is the balance between tourism and the daily life of the residents. Despite high completes, there are no problems in housing public officials. “So far we have no problems with the stay of doctors, teachers, ports, etc. Their society respects them,” the mayor said, adding that “we have made two accommodation that we provide for free to agricultural doctors coming up at regular intervals.”
Indeed, this year, thanks to the state’s motives, the island also hosts a specialist who “remains for up to two months and creates a file with medical files for patients, which is extremely important to us”, as he notes.

Eco Island – a island standard of viability

Halki’s conversion to “Eco Island” is not just a green sign. Starting in 2021, as part of the Greek government’s initiative to enhance the sustainable development of small islands, Halki is today a model for the entire Mediterranean.

“We are the first Eco Island, an initiative of the Greek government to turn the small islands into sustainable destinations. There have been many actions: electric cars, chargers, telemedicles, 5G network, technology laboratory for children, etc., ”explains Angelos Frangakis. Perhaps the most impressive achievement is the 1 Megawatt photovoltaic park that operates through the energy community, which is equal to the municipality and the residents equally.

The participation of 50% of residents as shareholders in the energy community translates into almost zero electricity bills. “We take advantage of our sun and the bills come almost zero,” the mayor points out, adding that “this enables us to participate in various European programs as well, because we act as a model.”

The photovoltaic park was built by PPC as part of a Green Transition, with the support of the European Union and the participation of private companies. “Today, there are about 180 residents in the energy community, while another 50 has expressed interest in getting into the figure, a dynamic that grows as long as people themselves see the benefits in practice,” Mr Fragakis said.

From the crisis to prosperity

The change is also felt by the residents themselves. Popi Lisgou, owner of a shop with local and tourist products and a permanent resident of the island, stresses: “After the pandemic that tourism had fallen, as it was reasonable, that we became the first Eco Island helped a lot in our promotion internationally and tourism increased a lot.” And he adds: “We pay, for example, a 40 euro electricity for the whole year. It’s very little. The fact that we are members of the energy community has helped us a lot. We have a proper energy footprint, because we believed it and supported it. ”
The daily life in Halki is characterized by a quality of life. “We live in tourism, life is beautifully rolling in Halki, in recent years our revenue has increased, and our children live well, go to school and have a nice daily life,” explains Lysu, adding: “We are trying to organize various activities. We could have more tourists outside the season, mainly October and April, though then we also have people. ”

The tourist development without weight

What makes Halki special is that it has managed to maintain its human and sustainable character, even with intense tourist demand. The season is full, residents live well, public services are operating normally and the environment is protected.

The next step for the island is to extend the tourist season, which the municipality is already pursuing with cultural events and collaborations. As the mayor notes, “Halki has already signed, at the initiative of the Minister of Tourism Mr. Lagas Kefalogiannis, a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of tourism at all levels: infrastructure, sustainability, sustainability, with the aim of evaluating the concept of” tourism “.
And as the island is preparing to welcome the next technology step with fiber optic installation, all shows that Halki is not just a good tourist destination. It is a place where growth coexists with sustainability and residents are actively involved in their future.