With targeted approval of investment projects, the development of diving tourism in Greece a special tourist product with significant prospects for extending the season and strengthening local economies.
the Ministry of Tourism gives the ‘green light’ for six investments in different regions of the country, promoting both artificial underwater attractionsas well as existing diving service businesses.
The Cyclades in focus – but not Naxos
on Cycladesapproved two investment projectson pharaoh and Appleconfirms the dynamics of the island’s diving tourism.
At the same time, an investment proposal from a merchant from Naxos was not approvedwhich raises reasonable questions about the position of the island in planning special forms of tourism, despite its wide sea front and natural possibilities.
The six approval details
Let’s look at the projects and of course we have the “green” light for investment in the Municipality of Aegaleo (!!) while two of the six programs also have the participation of the Municipality…
- An Application for Strengthening the Investment Plan entitled Free Artificial Underwater Attraction in Arginotas Kalymnos was approved, with the municipality of Kalymnos as the beneficiary. The place of implementation of the project is the island of Kalymnos and the approved funding amounts to 291,090.29 euros.
- At the same time, an Application for Strengthening the Investment Plan entitled Creation of a Free Artificial Underwater Attraction was approved. in the town of Volviwith the municipality of Volvi as the beneficiary. The implementation area in front of the beach of Stavros and the approved financing amounts to 297,600 euros.
- Also approved was the application for the expansion and modernization of the Kalakonas Antonios business with Mr. Antonios Kalakonas as the beneficiary. The place of execution is Parikia of Paros and the approved financing amounts to 35,377.43 euros.
- Also, an Application for Strengthening the Investment Plan titled Milos Diving Center, of the beneficiary Ioannis Havakis. The place of execution is Pelekouda of Milos and the approved financing amounts to 35,805.59 euros.
- In addition, an application for Strengthening the Investment Plan entitled Support for the Recreational Diving Services Business of Bakhtsevanidos Nektarias and SIA EE, of the beneficiary Bakhtsevanidos Nektarias and SIA EE, was also approved. The place of execution is Alexandroupoli and the approved financing amounts to 24,036 euros.
- Finally, an Application for Strengthening the Investment Plan entitled Diving Tourism-Garoutsos B., with the beneficiary Vasilios Garoutsos, was approved. The place of execution eis the municipality of Aegaleo and the approved financing amounts to 134,766.68 euros.
What does “finished work” mean?
According to the framework of the program, an investment plan is considered complete only if it has fully aware of the physical and financial matter:
facilities, equipment, operations, deliverables, achievement of objectives and certification of all costs.
The question about Naxos remains
The disapproval of the proposal from Naxos comes at a time the island is looking for new tourism narratives beyond the “sun and sea” model..
Diving tourism can be tool for diversification and time extensionespecially in areas with many marine environments.
If it is a situational decision or structural deficit in design an issue that – as everyone has shown – will return.
