In Rethymnon for the conference “National Strategy for Regional and Local Development. We discuss, we decide, we move forward, together for Rethymnon” is the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is touring Crete, accompanied by many Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Secretaries of Ministries

His first stop was the fishing shelter being created near the city of Rethymnon. It is a new project funded by the “Fisheries and the Sea” programme. 70% of the project has been completed and with its completion it will be possible to dock 70 fishing vessels. It has absorbed 50% of the money and will be delivered at the end of 2025.

“The sea is a source of wealth to provide our fishermen with the best infrastructure and to do their work safely is a central priority” stressed the prime minister and reminded that there have been two revisions in the 2024 budget from the overperformance of revenues and the fight against tax evasion to support public investment. “A part of it was directed to the regional budgets. The economy is overperforming, we are satisfied and this money is returned to projects and actions that have a social impact” added Mr. Mitsotakis.

Then the prime minister had a meeting with hoteliers in Rethymno. “The big picture is directly related to the fact that in a very turbulent time Greece remains a pillar of geopolitical, political, economic and social stability and this is the necessary condition for us to be able to build any economic activity let alone welcome tens of millions of visitors to a beautiful and safe destination” said Mr. Mitsotakis.

The prime minister emphasized that the country exceeded the goals set for tourism, while pointing out that the indications for 2025 look particularly positive. “In difficult conditions for our markets we again managed to exceed the goals we had set and the indications for 2025 look particularly positive and this is because Greece is winning in the markets compared to our main competitors and it does this with the cooperation of all people in the tourism industry. It’s your success”.

“We have a clear strategy for our tourism, for how we will extend the tourist season, for how we will bring new destinations to the fore. Crete had lagged behind in major projects. The airport in Kasteli will be completed in 2027. With great effort we are also confident about the future of the northern road axis” said the prime minister and asked to keep Crete a protagonist in the primary sector.

“We are always in direct communication with all tourism agencies. Our main goal is to keep and give prospects to young people who want to work in tourism. We all have an obligation to work together and explain to the young people that this occupation can be extremely profitable and extremely satisfying in terms of the realization of everyone’s personal ambitions” concluded the prime minister.