modernisation and quality upgrade. Next we are
planning the announcement of a programme for
supporting proposals concerning the formation of
new tourist enterprises. We are participating in
the INTERREG cross-border programmes, which
cover projects as the creation of diving park net-
works, the development of themed products, and
energy-saving actions in small tourist accommo-
dations.
By the end of the year, the Ministry will proceed
to the codification of tourist legislation, the adop-
tion of a clear-cut framework for the operation of
tourist enterprises, and the solution of chronic
problems faced by individual sectors. We are
preparing a clear-cut
sharing economy
frame-
work, in order to set specific rules that safeguard
sound entrepreneurship and activity. We are also
promoting the new framework for the develop-
ment and promotion of alternative tourism prod-
ucts and services, as well as the upgrading of
tourism education, which is a top-priority area.
We are steadily marching forward, achieving
measurable results day by day. All our actions are
aimed at enhancing Greece’s position, in 2016
and in the years to come, as one of the most pop-
ular and attractive tourism and investment desti-
nations worldwide. Our aim is to ensure that the
momentum of Greek tourism is reflected on the
results of the industry’s businesses, with major
benefits for the local and national economy.
Tourism is a national issue and the greatest
growth prospect for the country.
Trade with Greece
9
of-the-art centres and perfectly trained and pio-
neering scientists. We are emphasising on cultural
tourism, religious tourism, sports-training tourism,
rural tourism, winter tourism, and culinary tourism,
highlighting the comparative advantages of each
area. We are offering excellent city breaks, which
combine culture, entertainment, and shopping,
also developing the conference and business
travel sector.
The dynamism of Greek tourism has created new
business prospects. Greek tourism emerges as
one of the most profitable fields for new invest-
ments. Major international funds already consider
certain opportunities in tourism and real estate.
Almost half of the current investment projects are
financed or co-financed by foreign firms, while
demand is rising for investments in complex
tourist accommodations and special tourist infra-
structures. In just one year, the Ministry received
more than 160 proposals for the extension of
existing hotels or the construction of new, 4- or 5-
star, units, as well as complex tourist accommo-
dations. We are also exploring the possibility of
including projects for the creation of special
tourist infrastructures into the NSRF 2014-2020.
The utilisation of EU resources and financing
tools aims at supporting entrepreneurship, since,
apart from large-scale investments, special
emphasis is also placed in small and medium-
sized tourist enterprises. We recently proclaimed
the NSRF action for the provision of subsidies
totalling 70 million euros to tourist SMEs for their
