Greece Proposes Spatial Provisions for Sports, Golf, and Ski Tourism Niche Markets

The Greek government’s new proposed Special Spatial Framework for Tourism, which aims to regulate land use for tourism development, includes specific directions for all niche markets, including sports tourism.

Drafted jointly by the ministries of Tourism and Environment and Energy, the framework seeks to facilitate the development of the tourism sector in Greece.

More specifically, the proposed framework regulates and permits additional commercial uses such as shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and management offices within large athletic facilities, in accordance with the legal framework for land use and city planning.

Additionally, the framework envisions the establishment of sports training centers in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas with accessible access and existing hotel infrastructure, as well as in seaside and lakeside areas for water-related sports activities.

The design of coaching facilities and all other infrastructure should adhere to size standards and reflect the natural features of their respective surroundings.

The new proposed Special Spatial Framework for Tourism also includes provisions for outdoor recreation sports activities and adventure tourism, ski tourism, golf tourism, and cycling tourism.

Regarding outdoor recreation sports activities and adventure tourism, the framework proposes:

– Opening paths in rural areas, particularly in mountainous and semi-mountainous regions, and connecting them with international pathways to create a network of trails.

– Developing sporting activities in mountainous regions, such as mountain climbing, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, hang gliding, and paragliding. Some of these activities may also be developed to a lesser extent in semi-mountainous areas or plains and valleys.

– Establishing climbing fields.

Regarding ski tourism, the framework focuses on:

– Improving accessibility to Greece’s numerous skiing resorts, including Helmos, Menalon, Timphristos, Mount Pelion, Pertouli, Vernon, Vasilitsa, Elatohori, Seli, Mount Falakro, Mount Parnassos, Anogia, and others.

– Establishing new skiing resorts while considering climate change parameters and adopting innovative technologies to address them.

– Extending the operational seasons of ski resorts through incentives aimed at developing mountain sports activities and hosting special athletic events.

Regarding golf tourism, the new framework includes provisions for:

– Expanding golfing facilities, either as standalone entities or integrated within hotels, tourist activity centers, and mixed tourist resorts.

– Upgrading existing golf courses with the aim of transforming them into golfing destinations across all areas except those designated as regulated.

– Ensuring the placement of golfing facilities aligns with the area’s water availability management plan, necessitating an environmental impact assessment study.

Concerning cycling tourism, the proposed framework mandates:

– Establishing biking paths within urban areas.

– Developing a comprehensive biking path network in rural areas and connecting it with the Intereuropean cycling path network.

Greece’s new proposed Special Spatial Framework for Tourism will remain subject to public dialogue until September 15, taking place electronically among all sides concerned.

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