The bill proposed by the Ministry of Tourism was passed by the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Parliament «Strengthening tourism infrastructure and tourism education, updating the framework governing the practice of the tour guide profession and timeshare leases, regulations governing tourism organizations, and other provisions to strengthen tourism.».
The goal of these initiatives is sustainable tourism development that will ensure that the benefits of tourism are distributed fairly and equitably.
Based on these principles, the state’s new law serves specific and distinct objectives:
– It promotes and highlights the value of the human resources in the Greek tourism industry.
– It helps create a modern and more functional business and investment environment.
– It creates a substantially upgraded and multifaceted tourism product.
– It promotes a new model of governance at the local and regional levels with regard to the management and promotion of our destinations.
Statement on Tour Guides
Before the vote, the Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, made targeted amendments to the final text, with the aim of safeguarding and upgrading the profession of tour guide. For the first time in decades, the Ministry of Tourism is taking a comprehensive approach to the framework governing the profession of tour guide by modernizing the relevant legislation.
These measures aim to create a modern, functional institutional framework for the profession of tour guide, one that meets the demands of the modern tourism market and ensures the quality of the services provided, while also promoting the more effective operation and protection of the profession.
Specifically:
1. The definition of the profession is being updated, taking into account the proposals submitted by representatives of the Panhellenic Federation of Tour Guides.
2. The regulatory framework governing the social security coverage of tour guides through the Electronic National Social Security Agency (e-EFKA) is being updated to cover primary pensions and health care, as well as supplementary insurance. The terms and conditions for classifying tour guides into insurance categories are established.
3. The Ministry of Tourism is expected to operate at least two tour guide schools and organize two to five accelerated training programs for the tour guide profession.
4. A comprehensive framework for the audit process regarding the protection of the tour guide profession is updated and established. A framework is established that provides an exhaustive list of cases of legislative violations, and penalties are prescribed that are graded according to the severity of each violation.
The relevant provisions concerning the articles on the definition of the tour guide profession, their insurance, and the imposition of penalties were also voted in favor of by opposition lawmakers (SYRIZA, PASOK).
Basic Provisions
The key provisions, which are now law of the state, stipulate, among other things:
1. The upgrading and creation of new tourism infrastructure, with the aim of promoting sustainable tourism development. Provisions are set forth regarding environmental permitting and the operation of tourist accommodations and specialized tourism infrastructure.
2. The development of a comprehensive and modern regulatory framework for specific forms of tourism.
3. The introduction of regulations for organized luxury camping (glamping).
4. The establishment of a framework to increase the number of berths in tourist ports, in addition to those already approved.
5. The tourism education system is being upgraded to ensure high-quality training for professionals in the tourism sector. In addition, a framework for hiring permanent teaching staff at Higher Vocational Training Schools is being introduced for the first time in two decades.
Passenger Vehicles for Private Use
Specifically regarding private-use passenger vehicles (E.I.X.) with a driver, mandatory inspections remain fully in effect, based on the strict legal requirements for the operation of their transportation services, in accordance with current legislation. The only change is that compliance with the law and the strictness of inspections will be directed solely at the professional and not at the customers, with regard to the performance of this specific transportation service.
Following the bill’s passage, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni stated: «We are moving forward with steady and decisive steps toward a new cycle of changes and reforms that offer new prospects, correct inefficiencies, and further modernize our tourism product, aiming for a new cycle of long-term tourism growth. Tourism is a dynamic sector that is constantly changing and evolving, and we must continually adapt, so that tourism will continue to benefit the national economy and local communities in the future.».
