The Greek government has decided to endow mountain tourism with resources up to €1 billion annually to improve infrastructures and promotion, with the accommodation units in the mountainous and semi-mountainous resorts reporting occupancy rates of 80-85% for this Easter.
Mountain hoteliers report serious and persistent problems that threaten their sustainability. Among the biggest is financing troubles, with bank loans inaccessible due to lack of proper reporting and to past debts. Other problems include unit renovations getting delayed, overdependence on domestic tourism, soaring heating costs and snow shortages that diminish appeal.
The government announced on Monday a new program to strengthen this sector of tourism, starting with a domestic campaign titled: “Mountainous Greece: It takes you higher year-round.” It aspires to highlight another aspect of the country: Continental Greece covers 80% of the country and the aim is for balanced tourism development across all regions and throughout the year, according to Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. The campaign will expand abroad next year, she added.
The billion-euro project provides for funds to improve facilities, healthcare, housing and tourism, using European resources and the Public Investments Program; a new Special Secretariat for Mountain Areas is created under the Presidency of the Government, to operate as the link between the state and the region for the application of a 12-point growth strategy.
Kefalogianni added that this year will also see the completion of the program funded by the Recovery Fund, with €90 million allocated exclusively to mountain tourism. This package includes the quality upgrading of the country’s ski resorts and the creation of an online platform charting all mountain destinations and the activities they offer.
Tourism lodgings near or on Greek mountains hope for occupancies in excess of 80% this Easter weekend, though the nervous market will likely mean it will all come down to last-minute bookings. Hellenic Hoteliers Federation head Angelos Kallias explained to Kathimerini that the rising cost of fuel and generally high prices, combined with the uncertainty from the war have shifted a large share of bookings to the last minute.