GTP — Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura recently presented the national and regional tourism policy for the development of Crete and its promotion as a 365 days a year destination.
Speaking during the 3rd Regional Conference on the Reconstruction of Production, a conference focusing on the development of Greece’s largest island, Minister Kountoura said that 2017 is a “spectacular year” for Greece with record numbers in arrivals and revenue.
She underlined that Crete is a leading destination in Greek tourism and this year welcomed a significant increase in arrivals and revenue, as shown by official figures.
According to the ministry’s plan for Crete to extend the island’s summer tourism season and boost visitor numbers, thematic tourist products are being promoted throughout the island, agreements are being sealed with tour operators and travel agencies and long overdue negotiations with airlines are taking place.
The report does not mention specific details of these negotiations but the link between direct flights and all year round tourism and holiday property ownership has been well established in other mediterranean countries.
The tourism ministry is seeking to ensure that a sufficient number of hotels, tourism businesses and the local market will operate throughout the year to facilitate visitors.
Other priorities for the island’s development include linking tourism with the agricultural sector.
But all the minister needs to do first is facilitate direct all year round air links and the market will take care of the rest. Several airlines have for several years now trying to establish direct all year links with european countries asking in return for a more favourable treatment regarding winter airport charges, as is the case in many other countries, without getting any response from the authorities.
The minister added that the government and the tourism ministry are promoting sustainable tourism development, aiming for the economic benefits to benefit all local communities, create new jobs and increase investment.
The tourism ministry is in close cooperation with the Region of Crete, local authorities, chambers, local tourism bodies and the private sector to implement programs and actions for the development, promotion and promotion of Crete, an announcement by the ministry said.
