The crucial importance of tourism for the development of the Greek economy, as well as the key government initiatives in the field of tourism was developed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Kostis Chatzidakis, in the discussion he had with the President of the Hellenic Tourism Enterprises (SETE), Mr.

“There is no Greeks who do not know it: Tourism in recent decades, I would say, is a champion in the Greek economy,” Mr Hatzidakis stressed. At the same time acknowledging that supporting other sectors, such as industry and innovation, is necessary, he made it clear that this does not mean that tourism is limited. “If you don’t see your comparative advantages, including tourism, it’s like closing your eyes.” And he added: “And when I say to support, I basically mean that what we need to do is let the people of tourism do their job. Make their plans and dreams come true. Shaping the conditions with an economy that is indeed free. And no doubt with justice for workers. “

Mr. Hatzidakis noted that the government is proceeding with projects that act as a “catalyst” for tourism development: “Tourism is actually benefiting from actions we do for our country as a whole. And that they push together the tourism upwards. When the 22 small regional airports are giving up, it will be a profit for the Greek region, for each resident and for tourism. When you make new roads, when you modernize your ports. When you advance the fiber optic networks. When you take on a number of such actions, you upgrade tourism, make it more quality, attracting higher income tourists and generally operating as a catalyst, ultimately, for sustainable tourism development. “

In the same context, the Deputy Prime Minister underlined that “there is no sustainable tourism development without a modern spatial planning”. He was particularly stood in the modern spatial planning, stressing that the local and special urban planning plans are “the biggest reform in Greece at this time. Because it puts on another basis a number of things that are not only related to the environment and planning, but to the economy and functioning of the country. ” Whereas, more specifically for the special spatial plan of tourism, it has recognized the delays so far and stressed the government’s determination to “move as quickly as possible”. And he added: “However, a special tourism spatial spatial that will not be thrilled to you is better than a non -plan for tourism.”

Concerning financial support for tourism investment, Mr. Hatzidakis emphasized: “Until now from strategic investment, large tourist projects have been approved by one billion. euro. From what we have paid so far as a whole from the development law – and let me tell you the truth, I do not find it very balanced – 80% go to tourist projects, while everyone else is 20%. ” At the same time, he emphasized that “only today an additional 2,021 new, small and medium -sized tourist projects were approved, with state funding from the NSRF and a contribution by the State, 379 million euros”.

Mr. Hatzidakis also referred extensively to the problem of lack of staff in the tourism sector: “We have shortages. And so by 2023, we have begun to allow workers to come from outside. Not only in the primary sector, but also a little in industry, technical projects and tourism. This is obvious that it will need to be expanded, organized and facilitated by the state. Today, we have 39 different procedures needed to come to these people. It doesn’t. ” He then added the need to simplify the VISA issuance process: “Of course, the country cannot be a vineyard and therefore passed a very strict migration bill to the Council of Ministers. And we did well and passed it. But on the other hand, we need to look seriously and functionally the issue of the post -out -of -the -day commutes. Therefore, the state must facilitate, simplify the Visa version. ” At the same time, for the implementation of the digital card in the tourism industry, Mr. Hatzidakis noted: “There has been a special arrangement for overtime after reasonable demands in the industry. We are always open, without affecting the rights of workers. Alas if we look only on your side and do not look at the workers’ side. In any case, within such a context, any stiffness can be addressed. “

The deputy prime minister also recalled the tax reliefs implemented by the government and specifically in the tourism sector: “It is not only the islands affected by the immigration and have a lower VAT. We also did not raise VAT on marine and air transport. And recently we have reduced the ports in half to support shipping and ticket prices. “

In addition, in response to a question about the reciprocity of tourism fees, Mr Hatzidakis noted: “The Minister of Tourism said that there was a special code in the budget for overnight fees. The money is not lost. We don’t get the money to make pensions or benefits. They go for investment. And that alone shows the character of reciprocity. ” But he also stressed that flexibility is needed: “We cannot have a ‘narrow corset’ and necessarily the revenue only to go where they came from. It may have become a natural disaster elsewhere. What will you do? Will you say, “Because I received them from the X island, will I give them to the” X “island and the” Ψ “island I leave it? I do not think that such perceptions have a place in a European country in 2025. “

Finally, the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged the delays in modernizing the air navigation equipment, noting: “It is now in the Court of Auditors’ phase and will run the issue with radar. Our country is very high in flight security rules. But that does not mean that we should not refresh our equipment. And not to be completely in the avant -garde of the European Union. So we move in this direction and we will make any necessary structural changes to the CAA. With a focus, above all, the service of passengers and tourists. “