The Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, highlighted the contribution of Tourism to the Greek economy and the sector’s strong potential during her speech at the 27th Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum in New York.

The Minister noted that Greece is now recognized as an example of consistent fiscal policy, with growth rates exceeding the Eurozone average. She emphasized the decisive role that the country’s major tourism growth has played in this significant economic progress in recent years, as the result of a unified, coherent strategy for the qualitative development of Greek tourism, with a focus on strengthening the resilience and sustainability of Greece’s tourism destinations.

As the Minister of Tourism underlined, the outcome of this strategy, as well as the close cooperation between the state, the private sector, and local stakeholders, is the continuously increasing performance of Greek tourism. She noted that in 2024 travel volume reached 40 million visitors – including cruise passengers – and 21.6 billion euros in travel receipts, marking a second consecutive record high. The upward trend continues in 2025, with a 4 percent increase in arrivals and a 9 percent increase in revenue from January to September, while the strengthened demand in winter and shoulder months proves that Greece is evolving into a year-round destination.

She then presented in detail the government’s strategy for sustainable, resilient, and highly competitive tourism that highlights the country’s unique identity. The main pillars include enriching and diversifying the tourism offering, promoting lesser-known destinations, and expanding tourism activity across the entire territory and throughout the year.

The Minister referred to recent legislative initiatives that facilitate investment and simplify licensing procedures, while highlighting major investment opportunities in sectors such as maritime tourism, mountain tourism – for which the Ministry of Tourism is implementing a comprehensive, specialized development strategy – wellness tourism, and special categories of hospitality infrastructure, such as Integrated Tourism Resorts, as well as new luxury yet environmentally gentle tourism products, including the new category of glamping accommodations.

She made special reference to the Special Service for the Promotion and Licensing of Tourism Investments, established in 2013 at the Ministry of Tourism, which plays a crucial role in promoting numerous significant investment projects. As she noted, the number of five-star hotels in Greece has more than doubled in the past decade, a clear indication of the country’s enormous investment momentum in recent years.

She went on to highlight the projects aimed at the digital transformation of Greek tourism, implemented by the Ministry, such as the redesign of the official travel portal VisitGreece.gr. She also referred to the development of thematic digital platforms that will support special forms of tourism such as mountain and winter tourism, agritourism and gastronomic tourism, maritime and diving tourism, as well as health and wellness tourism. These platforms will incorporate Artificial Intelligence technology for more personalized information and improved traveler services.

The Minister further emphasized that the quality tourism Greece aims for is based above all on the human factor. She stressed that supporting and empowering human capital is one of the central pillars of the Ministry’s strategy. She referred specifically to modernization policies for the operation of tourism schools and to the Ministry’s funded reskilling and upskilling programs, which aim to strengthen human capital in a rapidly evolving global market.

She highlighted that investment in human capital is a steady priority and a fundamental pillar of the quality of Greek hospitality, which is a strong competitive advantage for Greek tourism.

This crucial issue, as she stated, is a strategic pillar proposed by the Ministry of Tourism to be included in the new unified European Strategy for Tourism, which will be presented in 2026, along with the provision of a dedicated EU-level funding mechanism for sustainability-enhancing tourism projects within the EU. This comes at a historic moment when Greece has assumed a leading role in shaping European tourism policy, following the appointment of Greek EU Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas to the portfolio of Sustainable Transport and Tourism.

Concluding, she added: “Greece is moving forward with confidence – adopting new, innovative policies, investing in infrastructure and human capital, and creating added value for local communities, travelers, and businesses.

Today, our country offers a mature yet dynamic investment environment, with political stability, a modern institutional framework, and a tourism product that is constantly evolving. Greece is ready to lead a new era of sustainable and resilient tourism. With a clear strategy, solid foundations for long-term success have been set.”

Investment Opportunities at the Minister–Investor Group Meeting

“Greece as a field of significant investment opportunities in Tourism” was highlighted by the Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, during her participation in the Minister–Investor Group Meeting, held as part of the Capital Link conference between members of the Greek government and senior executives of investment and banking groups, as well as technology companies, focusing on Greece’s development prospects.

Participants in the discussion included, among others, the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Kostis Hatzidakis, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Mr. Christos Dimas, and the Minister of Labour and Social Security Ms. Niki Kerameus.

Starting from the strong performance of Greek tourism, the Minister of Tourism emphasized that Greece is now ranked among the top 10 travel destinations worldwide, recording historic highs in both arrivals and revenue. She highlighted tourism’s role as a driving force for economic growth and stability in the Greek economy.

During the meeting, reforms that strengthen the investment environment were presented, while the stability and positive performance of the national economy were showcased, along with significant investment opportunities, particularly in the fields of international tourism transportation.

It was emphasized that the Greek government is methodically and systematically implementing a coherent tourism strategy focused on sustainable and quality development, diversification of the tourism offering, the provision of high-level tourism services, and support for local communities and economies.

A strategy that includes the implementation of comprehensive policies and projects such as:

– allocation of significant resources for upgrading tourism infrastructure,
– further simplification of licensing and operating procedures for tourism businesses,
– investment in modern digital tools to promote the tourism offering,
– strengthening accessibility to tourism services,
– adoption of targeted legislative initiatives, including the regulation of the short-term rental market and hotel classification based on environmental criteria,
– as well as implementation of reskilling programs for workers in tourism.

The strong performance of Greek tourism, combined with the Ministry of Tourism’s comprehensive development initiatives, enhances the country’s attractiveness for tourism investments in hospitality infrastructure, tourism services, and the development of new destinations.

Capital Link Hellenic Leadership Award 2025

At a special event attended by the Minister of Tourism, entrepreneur Achilleas Konstantakopoulos was honored with the 2025 Capital Link Hellenic Leadership Award.