Marine tourism on the Rise
Hellenic Tousist Organisation Plans to Expand Marina and Yachting Facilities Throughout Greece
Though cruising and sailing have become increasingly popular in Greece, the country suffers from a shortage of marina facilities. There are fewer than 7,000 marina berths around the Greek coastline and the islands. Demand for berths in the Attica area alone is estimated at over 10,000.

The Hellenic Tourist Organisation (EOT) plans to expand the existing network of 20 marinas to 50, and to add another 24 yacht anchorages in bays on smaller islands, as well as four new marinas based at luxury hotels. This would increase the number of berths and moorings to almost 16,000 over the next five years. To promote private investment in marina and anchorage construction, EOT has decided to appoint an international adviser for the marine tourism sector.
Chain of Ports To Link Greek Islands
The emphasis will be on building small marina and harbour facilities to suit the miniature scale of Greek island ports. They would form a chain through the Ionian islands (Corfu,Zakynthos), around the Peloponnese coast and across the Cyclades to the Dodecanese. As well as attracting yachts from the western Mediterranean, the new marina network would give a boost to the yacht charter sector. With only 20,000 charters a year in Greek waters, the market lags behind Italy and Turkey.
Marina development in Greece has faced problems because of objections by the state archaeological service - many locations are close to unexcavated ancient remains - and local environmental groups. EOT has asked the National Technical University of Athens to survey 600 possible marina and anchorage sites around Greece so that confrontations can be avoided in future.

Private Operators and Resort Hotels Encouraged to Invest
Of the 20 marinas currently in operation, 14 are privately managed while the remainder are controlled by EOT and other state entities. EOT plans to retain control of its four big marinas around Attica. The remaining facilities will be offered to private operators on long leases of at least 40 years. They would be expected to invest in refurbishment and expansion. Hotels with more than 200 beds that are located at a distance from existing ports would also be allowed to build marinas.
Several private Greek companies, including yacht charterers, specialise in managing local marinas. Greek companies also have a stake in some of the 38 marinas and anchorages under construction. EOT wants foreign marina operators to bid for some of the 20 new marinas that will be offered for tender from this year.
The new facilities would cost a total of GDR50bn, with private investors contributing 65% and the remainder covered through grants from EU structural fund.