Greece Outlines New Strategies for the Sustainability, Climate Resilience and Digital Transition to Ensure its Long-Term Growth and Sustainable Practices

Published on November 28, 2025

Greece is making great strides to address the future challenges that shape its tourism industry as global travel continues to evolve in a post-pandemic world. During the event “Tourism is Changing – Greece Leads” organized by the Tourism Ministry at the Acropolis Museum, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni focused on the need for adaptable policies that strengthen Greece’s competitiveness in tourism while meeting the rising demands for sustainability, climate resilience, and digital transformation.

As global travel trends continue to shift toward responsible tourism, ecotourism, and experience-driven travel, Greece is working to ensure that its tourism sector remains sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced. With over 40 million visitors in 2024 and travel receipts amounting to EUR 21,6 billion, Greece continues to hold a place among the world’s top 10 most popular tourism destinations. To remain ahead in the competitive global tourism market, however, the country is making priority policies that secure its long-term success while protecting the environment and enriching the visitor experience.

Tourism Growth Must Be Managed with Sustainability in Mind

Minister Kefalogianni outlined that sustainable growth must be a priority in the coming years, stressing that Greece’s tourism policies should always aim to protect destinations while ensuring they are economically resilient and ecologically sustainable. With an emphasis on destination sustainability, Greece is aligning with the broader global tourism trends that prioritize eco-conscious travel and community-based tourism.

The tourism industry’s success cannot come at the expense of local cultures or natural resources, and the Ministry’s approach to sustainability is designed to ensure that tourism growth is balanced and beneficial for both residents and tourists alike. The new mandatory hotel classification system, introduced by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels and the Technical Chamber of Greece, will assess hotels based on their environmental performance. The initiative incentivizes hotels to adopt energy-saving practices and resource-efficient operations, ensuring that Greece remains a responsible destination for tourists seeking both luxury and eco-friendly experiences.

Strengthening Climate Resilience in the Face of Growing Challenges

The climate resilience pillar is also a critical challenge for Greece’s tourism future. As the country faces climate change impacts, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires, it is crucial to ensure that Greece’s tourist destinations remain resilient to these challenges. Greece’s tourism infrastructure must be adaptable, ensuring that key sites and areas remain accessible and safe for tourists even in the face of environmental stresses.

The Tourism Ministry’s climate resilience efforts include improving infrastructure, water management, and sustainable practices across tourism sites. By investing in green infrastructure and climate-resilient tourism strategies, Greece is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable tourism, where both the environment and tourism growth go hand-in-hand.

Digital Transformation: Enhancing the Visitor Experience

As the global tourism industry continues to digitize, Greece is embracing technology to improve the tourist experience and remain competitive. Minister Kefalogianni noted that digital transition is crucial to the country’s tourism strategy, enhancing the tourism experience for visitors and supporting the tourism sector’s growth. The Ministry of Tourism is working to digitalize promotion tools, training programs, and tourist services to ensure that Greece stays ahead of the curve in an increasingly digital world.

The country is also investing in new digital platforms to promote more diverse tourism products. For instance, Greece’s mountain tourism initiatives, including the year-round operation of ski centers and the creation of the “Sustainable Mountain Destination” designation, form part of the broader push to diversify Greece’s tourism offerings. This initiative will help cater to visitors seeking active and adventure tourism experiences, which is becoming an increasingly popular segment in the global tourism market.

Destination Management and Marketing Organizations (DMMOs): A Collaborative Approach

A key innovation in Greece’s approach to tourism development is the establishment of Destination Management and Marketing Organizations (DMMOs). These organizations are designed to manage and market Greek tourism destinations, ensuring that tourism growth is well-organized and community-driven.

By incorporating private sector input, local authorities, and community-based stakeholders, DMMOs will focus on developing sustainable tourism models that not only attract more visitors but also ensure that local communities benefit from tourism-related growth. The goal is to create resilient destinations that maintain their unique character while embracing modern tourism practices.

Tourism Impact: Economic Growth and Job Creation for Local Communities

The initiatives outlined by Minister Kefalogianni are not just about protecting Greece’s destinations but also about ensuring that tourism continues to be a driving force in local economic development. The growth of tourism directly translates into increased job opportunities in hospitality, transportation, tourism services, and local businesses.

By focusing on sustainable practices, community engagement, and digitization, the government is creating a future-proof tourism industry that can provide stable employment while preserving the country’s natural and cultural heritage. The growing demand for eco-tourism and sustainable travel options presents an opportunity for Greece to capitalize on this trend, attracting tourists who prioritize responsible tourism and eco-conscious travel.

Looking Ahead: A Strong Future for Sustainable Tourism in Greece

As Greece continues to evolve its tourism strategies to meet global expectations, the focus on sustainability, climate resilience, and digital transformation will ensure that the country remains a top destination for international visitors. By strengthening tourism infrastructure, fostering public-private collaboration, and embracing innovative technologies, Greece is well on its way to becoming a global leader in sustainable tourism.

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Greece’s ability to balance growth with environmental protection and cultural preservation will shape its future competitiveness. As more tourists seek authentic and eco-friendly experiences, Greece is perfectly positioned to offer a unique and sustainable tourism model that meets the needs of today’s conscious travelers.

Greece’s Strategic Approach to Sustainable Tourism Growth

These challenges, as identified by Minister Kefalogianni, are those of sustainability, climate resilience, and digital transformation; thus, they are opportunities to ensure Greece’s tourism sector prospers in the post-pandemic world. Data-driven policies, local participation, and sustainable tourism infrastructure-these form part of Greece’s initiative toward long-term tourism development for the benefit of both the local community and international visitors.

As Greece further opens itself to tourism, its emphasis on responsible tourism, care for environmental sustainability, and adoption of innovative technology make it a model destination for travelers in search of both luxury and sustainability. With these efforts in place, Greece is well-positioned to maintain its status as a premier global tourism destination for several years to come.