Working meeting of S. Kedikoglou -S. Zacharaki for development and promotion of fishing tourism

Fishing tourism was at the center of the discussion that had the Deputy Minister of Rural Development & Food Mr. Simos Kedikoglou and the Deputy Minister of Tourism Mrs. Sofia Zacharaki. During the meeting, which was attended by officials of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure as well as the founder of the Fishing Trips team, Mr. George Lourdis, the prospects for the development and promotion of fishing tourism in Greece were explored.

More specifically, the current institutional framework governing the process of granting the special fishing tourism license to professional fishermen was examined, its various failures, weaknesses and shortcomings were identified and the possibilities of its improvement were discussed in order to provide new and more incentives. In particular, the need for search, promotion and utilization of new or existing financial tools and specialized programs addressed to professionals in the field with interest in obtaining a special fishing tourism license was stressed.

The common place of the two Undersecretaries was the will for the close cooperation between them and the creation of new synergies with the aim of the effective promotion of the fishery tourism in our country. For this purpose, it was agreed to set up a special inter-ministerial working group, the object of which will be the development of a comprehensive strategy proposal, based on modern Greek reality, the needs it shapes, the dynamics of the industry and internationally followed good practices.

In the same context, the possibility of taking further joint initiatives and organizing information actions in relation to fisheries tourism and its prospects was discussed.

As underlined by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Sofia Zacharaki “Fishing tourism is a special form of tourism in which Greece in particular can claim a leading role in the world. The benefits it can offer both for our national tourism product and its quality and mainly for the economic prosperity of the Greek However, it is still an unexplored opportunity for our country. “Modernization and upgrading of our tourism. With the Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Simos Kedikoglou, we are taking a key step in this direction by reaching new areas, giving new perspectives and development opportunities in the Greek countryside.”

In this light, it was proposed to organize the first joint information action in relation to fishing tourism in Chalkida, an area quite tested especially in the recent period, which, however, presents significant opportunities and growth prospects with reference to its fishing.

The Deputy Minister of Rural Development & Food, Mr. Simos Kedikoglou, stated:

“Fishing tourism highlights the natural marine wealth of our country and contributes to the utilization of traditional activities such as fishing. This is undoubtedly an essential initiative to attract visitors and stimulate the local economy and tourism development.

The Ministry of Tourism is also a valuable helper in the promotion of fishing tourism, where together with Ms. Sofia Zacharaki we will present the program in detail next month at a conference organized in Chalkida.

“Fishing tourism will start as a pilot from the region of Evia as the North and South Gulf of Evia are ideal places for this activity which is a very good source of income for both fishermen and those who want to establish similar schools.”