The ministers of tourism, Olga Kefalogianni; and environment and energy, Stavros Papastavrou, presented on Monday the proposed Special Spatial Planning Framework for Tourism focusing on sustainable development, destination resilience, and protecting the country’s natural and cultural assets.
The proposed framework is to remain posted until May 25 for a period of public consultation before submission to the National Spatial Planning Council, while the target is the signature of the Joint Ministerial Decree by the end of June.
Its central pillar is the transition to a tourism model with a lower environmental footprint, based on the good management of natural resources and the protection of biodiversity. At the same time, the framework promotes the development of modern and sustainable infrastructure, the strengthening of organized forms of spatial planning with clear environmental standards, and the acceleration of transparent and predictable licensing procedures.
Among its key priorities is the spatial rebalancing of tourism activity, aimed at reducing pressure on saturated destinations while highlighting new, alternative, and thematic tourism destinations.
The new framework aspires to serve as a long-term planning tool that combines economic growth with environmental protection and social cohesion, laying solid foundations for a resilient and sustainable tourism future.