Greece Rolls Out Seven New Diving And Underwater Tourism Projects As Part Of National Recovery Strategy To Strengthen Coastal Tourism

Published on November 22, 2025

Greece is making significant strides to strengthen its coastal tourism sector with the launch of seven new diving and underwater tourism projects, an initiative that’s part of its broader national recovery strategy. This move not only highlights Greece’s commitment to diversifying its tourism offerings but also taps into the growing global demand for sustainable and adventurous travel experiences. By promoting its rich marine heritage and underwater attractions, Greece aims to boost tourism, create new job opportunities, and enhance its position as a top destination for eco-conscious travelers.

The projects outlined involve both municipal authorities and private diving service providers, each with detailed provisions regarding eligible expenditures, approved actions, and funding allocations, as outlined in the respective project documents.

In the Municipality of Sithonia, an investment plan has been approved for the “Development of a Free Artificial Underwater Attraction.” The physical scope of the project includes expenses for the construction, expansion, and modernisation of underwater installations, along with the procurement of equipment. It also covers promotional and marketing activities designed to attract visitors, along with necessary studies and consulting services. The requested funding for this initiative amounts to €297,600, which has been officially approved. The beneficiary of the project must ensure the expenditures are made within the agreed-upon timeline and retain original invoices for a period of ten years, as stipulated by the decision.

Similarly, a project in the Municipality of Kantanou–Selinou, also titled “Development of a Free Artificial Underwater Attraction,” has been approved. Like the Sithonia project, this initiative covers the installation of underwater structures and equipment, promotional activities, and related services. The conditions and obligations set forth in the decision mirror those outlined for the Sithonia initiative, ensuring consistency across similar projects. The beneficiary will need to adhere to the same documentation retention requirements and timeline for completion.

The Municipality of Nafplio has also received approval for the project “Development of a Free Artificial Underwater Attraction.” This initiative, like the others, involves expenses for underwater installations, procurement of equipment, and promotional activities. As with all other decisions in this sub-project, the Nafplio project includes specific obligations regarding the maintenance of documentation and adherence to the approved timeline. These steps are part of the general framework that governs the execution of all such initiatives in this sector.

On the private sector side, several investment plans have been supported, aimed at upgrading services and procuring new equipment to improve the quality of diving services. One such investment is for the company in Heraklion, Crete, a diving services provider that is receiving support for the procurement of diving equipment and consulting services. The approved funding for this project amounts to €23,329.43, with a private contribution of €9,331.77. This initiative fully meets the eligibility criteria established for the project, as indicated in the inclusion document.

Another project involves a diving services provider in Lefkada, which is also receiving support for equipment procurement, as well as for training and consulting services. The requested funding for this project amounts to €55,740.38, with a private contribution of €22,296.15. The inclusion document provides a detailed breakdown of the approved expenditures, which include a scuba air compressor for recreational diving, a nitrox blender, and buoyancy regulator equipment. These items are all essential for improving the service offered by the diving provider and are clearly specified in the annexes of the decision.

All seven projects approved under this initiative have one thing in common: they all come with a clear set of obligations. These include implementing the expenditures according to the approval decision, adhering to the project timeline, and ensuring full compliance with the Management and Control System (MCS). The beneficiaries must also retain all documentation related to the project and cooperate with programme audits. Non-compliance with any of these requirements could result in sanctions, as outlined in the annexes of the decisions.

The specific categories of expenditure supported by the investment plans include underwater installations, procurement of diving equipment, research and studies, promotional activities, training, and, in the case of some projects, even the acquisition of electric boats to support operational needs. Each project has been ranked according to the timing of its submission on the electronic platform, which is an important factor in determining its approval and funding, as detailed in the decisions.

For all projects, whether involving municipalities or private providers, the inclusion decisions emphasise the importance of proper documentation, effective project management, and adherence to the approved funding and timelines. These conditions are essential to ensure the success of the investment initiatives and to safeguard the proper use of public funds.

The municipalities and private providers involved in these projects are expected to maintain a high standard of transparency, accuracy, and accountability. The funding decisions clearly outline how each project is to be managed, with detailed provisions for the implementation, oversight, and auditing of the projects. This level of oversight is crucial to ensuring the effective and responsible use of the financial resources allocated to these initiatives, which aim to enhance the tourism and diving sectors in their respective regions.

Greece is launching seven new diving and underwater tourism projects as part of its national recovery strategy to boost coastal tourism, attract eco-conscious travelers, and enhance its marine heritage offerings.

Each project, from the construction of artificial underwater attractions to the procurement of essential diving equipment, plays a part in promoting sustainable tourism and enhancing the quality of services provided to visitors. The success of these initiatives will not only benefit local economies but also help foster a greater appreciation for the marine environment and the importance of preserving underwater ecosystems. By meeting the outlined obligations, these projects will contribute to the long-term development of the region’s diving and tourism industries.