Ms. Olga Kefalogianni highlighted Greece's initiatives for sustainable marine and coastal tourism, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas Exhibition, as part of the international Monaco Explorations initiative.
In her opening remarks, she highlighted the symbolism of the Mediterranean Missions action, a series of missions to the Mediterranean that will take place from 2025 to 2030 in various countries in the region, which will also include a visit by Prince Albert II of Monaco. She noted that "our country and the Principality of Monaco share not only maritime traditions, but also the responsibility to protect the Mediterranean."
Referring to the importance of the Mediterranean, she stressed that for centuries it has been "a cradle of civilizations, a bridge between peoples and a crossroads of trade and exchange".
The Minister made special reference to the Observatory for Coastal and Marine Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean, which was established in 2023 in implementation of a memorandum of cooperation with the World Tourism Organization. Already, 12 countries have expressed interest in participating in the initiative, which aims to systematically measure and monitor the environmental, social and economic impacts of coastal and marine tourism in the region.
She also highlighted the support of the European Union through the Recovery and Resilience Fund, which finances projects to upgrade marinas, develop diving tourism and improve accessibility to coasts and beaches.
In closing, she stressed:
"Sustainability is not only a responsibility. It is the path that ensures that Greece and the Mediterranean will remain not only top tourist destinations, but also models of responsible management, where the environment, biodiversity and cultural heritage are protected for future generations."