Alternate Minister of Economy, Development & Tourism Elena Kountoura invited international investors to explore the significant opportunities of Greek tourism and increase exchanges with Greece at Capital Link’s 17th Annual Greek Investor Forum in New York on Monday.

During the Forum, leading Greek government officials and business representatives were able to update U.S. investors from major global investment banks as well as U.S and international organizations, on developments and reforms in the Greek economy and on opportunities ahead.

Record-breaking year

Ms. Kountoura focused on how the Tourism Sector in Greece has emerged as a key-factor for the economy’s return to growth, emphasizing on the results of the year 2015, which has been a record-breaking year.

“I am here to support your business efforts and help you in establishing a network so that you can take advantage of the opportunities offered by the timeless brand name Greece“, Ms. Kountoura stressed while speaking during a panel discussion on Investment Opportunities in Tourism & Hospitality.

She also referred to the four-year strategy plan which reflects the Government’s vision to make Greece one of the top five most popular destinations in the world and underlined that in its latest country report, the World Travel & Tourism Council projects an annual growth of 4.7 % in tourism investments in Greece, for the next ten years.

Strategic decision

During her speech, Ms Kountoura said that it is the government’s strategic decision to encourage foreign direct investments and underlined that all new investments in Greece target a 12-month product.

“Our regulatory and legal framework is being updated to boost investment and offer diverse and complex products of thematic interest all around Greece”, Ms Kountoura said and added:

“Major funds mostly from Europe, the United States and the Middle East, as well as international investors, are eager to enter this booming market, looking at concrete opportunities in tourism and real estate. About half of the currently running projects are being financed by foreign companies and most of them reflect a shift in demand for complex and integrated tourism resorts.”

25.5 million tourists worldwide

Greece was chosen by more than 25.5 million tourists worldwide, who spent directly more than 14.5 billion euros, reflecting an annual 5-7 % rate of growth in arrivals and receipts, rates which are higher than the global average.

The minister also explained to investors that Greece’s regulatory framework is in the direction of developing condo hotels, luxury and boutique hotels, as well as facilities for seniors, families and tourists of multigenerational travel and continued:

“Spas and wellness centers, sports and recreation facilities, medical resorts and theme parks are on prime demand, with priority to quality, sustainability and environmental protection, as our biggest investment in the future. We are going to introduce a new investment law within the first two months of 2016, which applies to tourism projects as well”, she noted reassuring potential investors that the ministry has established a “One-Stop-Shop” service that has already facilitated a large number of large-scale projects.

Distinguished speakers

During the Capital Link Forum, an array of leading personalities comprised the list of distinguished speakers, among which Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, who sent the Government’s message to the international investor Community; Economy, Development and Tourism Minister George Stathakis, who outlined the New Investment Landscape in Greece; Deputy FM Dimitris Mardas, who was the Luncheon Keynote Speaker, analyzing the International Economic Relations & Investments Landscape.

Among other speakers were representatives from seven global investment banks and four Greek Banks, all European institutions, US investment companies, corporate CEOs from Greece and the United States, representatives from multinational companies, International Financial Institutions and Shipping Companies.

Source: http://www.tornosnews.com

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