Creation of Integrated Tourist Accessible Sea Destinations

Athens, Thursday 6 April 2023 – The project for the promotion and publicity of the Action “Creation of Integrated Tourist Accessible Sea Destinations” of EPAnEK 2014-2020, implemented by the NSRF Staff Structure of the Ministry of Tourism, was presented by the Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development, Mrs Olympia Anastasopoulou, on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Mrs. Olympia Anastasopoulou stressed in her speech: “In Greece, important steps are being taken by the State regarding the improvement of the accessibility of tourism infrastructure, while on the other hand many entrepreneurs understand the importance and economic benefit that this category of tourists can have for their business. For the Ministry of Tourism, the accessibility of Greek destinations is an important pillar of our strategic planning, which it not only encourages, but works systematically to enable people with disabilities to enjoy the unique beauties of our country.”

In this direction, the NSRF Staff Structure of the Ministry of Tourism undertook the task of promoting and publicizing the interventions implemented by Municipalities in coastal destinations of the country, through the Action “Creation of Integrated Tourist Accessible Sea Destinations” of the Operational Program “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2014-2020”.

The program, with an initial budget of 15.000.000 euros was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union and national resources.

More than 250 beaches throughout Greece, through the action “Creation of Integrated Tourist Accessible Sea Destinations” become accessible to all.

The interventions in the wider area of swimming beaches concern non-permanent infrastructure such as access ramps and corridors to the beach, prefabricated changing rooms, portable sanitary areas, areas for shading and protection of bathers, as well as parking spaces for disabled people.

The aim is to ensure accessibility to the sea for people with disabilities and people with reduced mobility, such as the elderly, pregnant women, people with mobility difficulties, as well as to promote Greece internationally as an accessible maritime tourist destination.

In the context of promotional actions to highlight the country’s accessible beaches, the NSRF Staff Structure of the Ministry of Tourism has created the website www. accessiblebeaches. gr, through which visitors can tour and choose one of the accessible beaches of Chora. In addition, Social Media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube) were created, as well as videos posted on the project’s youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC48B37cSFf-21ayzJCYN14Q.

The information campaign that is already being implemented includes digital promotion of accessible sea destinations to targeted audiences (people with disabilities and their escorts) in Greece, as well as in the other European countries (Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Cyprus).

The Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development, Mrs. Olympia Anastasopoulou, pointeed out in her speech that, “our main concern and purpose is to promote and highlight destinations that meet specific criteria, so that they are accessible to all, including people with disabilities and special population groups. Accessibility is an indicator of quality of life and is central to any responsible and sustainable tourism policy. Adopting a “holistic model” is imperative for human rights and an excellent business opportunity. Above all, we must appreciate that Accessible Tourism benefits not only people with disabilities or special needs, but all of us.”

The Minister of Tourism, Vasilis Kikilias mentioned that equal access to the sea is a self-evident human right which is supported in practice with the implementation of the specific EPAnEK-NSRF program.

“We are talking about the dignity of our fellow human beings. And as a doctor, as a former Minister of Health, but also with great honor as Minister of Tourism, I am present together with our whole team for an excellent program that started in the past and is being completed today. Therefore, the credit goes to all the political leaderships that preceded it, so that this NSRF project can be implemented. And, of course, there will be continuity, as in the European programs we have available, a significant budget is provided for accessible beaches, creating even better conditions of dignity and equal access to the beauties and the unique tourist product of our country”, Mr. Kikilias said.

The press conference was addressed by the Member of the European Parliament for New Democracy, Mr Stelios Kympouropoulos, the President of the Greek National Tourism Organization Mrs. Angela Gerekou, the Mayor of Glyfada Mr. Georgios Papanikolaou and the Mayor of Central Corfu and the Diapontia Islands, Mrs. Meropi Hydraiou.

Other speakers participating were Mr. George Zervos, Special Secretary for the Management of European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund Programs, Mr. Vasilis Koutsianos, Secretary General of ESAmeA, Mr. Antonis Tsapatakis, World Gold Champion & Paralympic Swimming Bronze Champion, Ms. Alexandra Stamatopoulou, World Gold & Paralympic Swimming Bronze Champion and Ms. Anastasia Pyrgioti, Boccia Paralympic Bronze Medalist, Clinical Psychologist Msc.

Viewers can listen herebelow to the live Press Conference: