Olga Kefalogianni sent a clear message about the crucial role played by tourism in the Greek economy and society, speaking at the 16th Conference of the New Democracy.
The Minister of Tourism highlighted the historic performance of 2025, but also the new strategy that emphasizes sustainable development, quality of services and the emergence of new destinations throughout the country.
Olga Kefalogianni: “Tourism touches the everyday life of hundreds of thousands of citizens”
The minister particularly highlighted the link between the tourism sector and social cohesion and the everyday life of citizens, stressing that the development of the sector affects workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, producers and local communities.
He said. Not only because it is one of the strongest pillars of our economy, but also because it touches in everyday life hundreds of thousands of citizens in most of our Greece today. It touches the worker, the professional, the entrepreneur, the producer, the hotelier, the caterer, the young person looking for a future in their own country, but also the local communities that are called upon to manage the pressures of tourists and to exploit the potential of a developing region.
She noted that Greek tourism is inextricably linked to the whole economy and requires “seriousness, planning, cooperation and continuity”.
Record year 2025 for Greek tourism
Olga Kefalogianni made a special reference to the 2025 figures, which she described as historic for the country, revealing that Greece exceeded 43 million visitors, while travel receipts reached 23.6 billion euros.
The minister stressed that the increase in revenues was higher than the increase in arrivals, which demonstrates the shift towards a higher quality and upgraded tourism.
Specifically, she said: “Our country welcomed more than 43 million visitors, while travel receipts reached 23.6 billion euros. With a greater increase in revenues than the increase in arrivals, which proves the qualitative upgrade of Greek tourism. The historic record of 2025 in terms of revenues and arrivals is therefore accompanied by strong qualitative indicators.”
At the same time, he pointed out that this success came in a difficult international environment with geopolitical tensions, climate crisis and increased global competition, stressing that the result was the product of cooperation between the state, local government, businesses and employees.
The changes in short-term rentals and tourist accommodation
The Minister also referred at length to the Ministry’s interventions on short-term rentals, and the new policy on tourist accommodation.
As he explained, the government proceeded to create a new framework that links the classification of tourism units to their environmental performance, giving particular attention to sustainability and environmental protection.
For short-term rental properties he said: “We have put in place operational and safety standards for these properties, and the relevant ministry departments are also carrying out inspections. Because the development of any economic activity linked to tourism must be done according to rules. Not to restrict it, but to ensure quality, safety, healthy competition and respect for destinations.”
The “other Greece” and mountain tourism
A special place in her speech was given to the development of mountain tourism and the promotion of less prominent regions of the country.
Olga Kefalogianni presented the new campaign for Mountain Greece, which attempts to promote destinations with authentic experiences, local traditions and activities throughout the year.
As he said: “Mountainous Greece, our mountains, let’s not forget 80% of our land area, can offer all these different and authentic experiences to the modern traveller. And it can offer them throughout the year. That’s why with this campaign for the first time for mountainous Greece, we basically want to present the other side of Greece, the less known but equally unique side. Our central message, mountain Greece, takes you up all year round.”
