In preparation for the European Commission for the establishment of the first European Tourism Strategy, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, referred to the Blue Heritage Forum of Western Macedonia on “Blue, Circular Economy & Culture European Strategy for Tourism” Florina. Mr Tzitzikostas stressed that “we are launching the pan -European dialogue with all the tourism stakeholders involved in order to develop the first European tourism strategy we will present at the beginning of 2026”.

In contrast to this action the Greek commissioner referred to the challenges with which many tourist destinations are faced because of Climate change but also the phenomenon of saturation presented by others. He said that “all projection mechanisms operating in both Greece and Europe must be transformed into destination management mechanisms” in conjunction with the simultaneous strengthening of European identity as a world destination. In this context, it considered it necessary to re -establish people working in tourism, the creation of digital tools for small and medium -sized tourism companies and to simplify processes so that regions, bodies and citizens have easier access to EU money. They are directed to the development of the tourism product. “

Heralded that in the next few weeks he would inaugurate the Start of pan -European dialogue With the agencies of Crete and shortly thereafter the Rhodes will follow. Mr Tzitizikostas emphasized that “I want to hear the proposals and concerns of the bodies in order to make tourism more powerful on the one hand, and on the other, to deal with some of the destinations.” At the same time, he pointed out that the non -balanced development can put pressure on the environment and the cultural heritage, resulting in “we have reactions of citizens and local communities today in areas that are intense saturated”. He said he was preparing actions to highlight less well -known destinations and at the same time to light up destinations that are burdened.

He talked about a “over -airspace” after two years ago we had 35,000 daily flights while last year, that number went up just over 38,000 flights a day and as they all show, the upward trend will continue this year. “Our goal, is to have to go to a single European sky, which we are preparing with fast steps.”

He spoke of “the need for a sustainable tourism in Europe”, which should not escape the attention of those involved in its development, he said that “as the climate becomes warmer, destinations in northern EUROPE will become more attractive to southern Europe’s destinations and that studies show that by 2050 in the northern Europe.” Mr Tzitzikostas talked about the added value of tourism in Greece “with 200,000 Greek businesses while in Europe to reach 3 million and with a turnover in Greece reaching 26 billion euros”.

Finally, he referred to the cultural and archaeological heritage but also to the cultural events for the way they contribute to the development of the tourism product by attracting more visitors each time.

For his part, Deputy Minister of Development Lazaros Tsavdaridis referred to the geopolitical value of the region as a gateway to the Western Balkans, he said “that today it is the energy heart of Greece, it has a dynamic primary sector and is a rising force in winter ski resorts” while making a specialist.

He said that “the ND government is very well aware of the invitations facing the area after the closure of fur operations that have influenced the local economy and the march in the apoliticalization to enter the area in the new era.”

He talked about the new opportunities in the agri -food sector, the irrigation networks and most opportunities offered in the primary sector, referred to the new capabilities of the industry with material reuse as well as the human resources that lead the green and digital transition as well as in new dynamic economy. Finally, he referred to the 650 investment projects that are “running” in the area and will create 2,500 jobs but also on road axes such as the E65 which, according to the Deputy Minister, “will change the financial map of the area”.

The Deputy Minister of Interior on Macedonia and Thrace Constantine Gioulekas He talked about the advantage of Northern Greece, which is recognized by large international giants investing by establishing new technology businesses. He said that “the ports of northern Greece from Igoumenitsa to Alexandroupolis acquire their own geopolitical value” proposing as an immediate necessary measure “their railway interconnection”. He emphasized the need for “conversion of northern Greece into an educational university center” where university departments will operate students from the neighboring cities of the Balkan states. Finally, he predicted that northern Greece in the coming years “will be economically prosperous, which would benefit not only its inhabitants but also the Greek economy in general”.