Speaking at the panel “Maritime Tourism and Investment Strategies in Marinas and other Strategic Development Projects”, within the framework of the 2025 International Sea Tourism Festival, taking place in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, Mr. Gkikas pointed out that the development of maritime tourism and the Blue Economy is a critical factor for national and regional development.
“For there to be healthy competition and to attract investments, government stability and a strong political and legal framework to facilitate them are required,” the Deputy Minister stated, adding that government continuity and institutional stability are prerequisites for attracting serious investors.
Referring to the government’s strategic policy for strengthening maritime tourism, Mr. Gkikas noted that since 2019, major investments have been approved and launched, such as the strategic construction investment of the Mega Yacht Marina in Platygyali, Aetolia-Acarnania, the Corfu Mega Yacht Marina (whose concession contract is being ratified this week by Parliament), as well as the new marinas in Lefkada and in Kefalonia.
The Deputy Minister also stressed the importance of the scientific documentation of investments, referring to the study by the Hellenic Marinas Association, which was conducted in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) and the University of Piraeus, evaluating over 180 island and coastal municipalities based on 23 investment attractiveness criteria.
“Investments must be based on data and analysis, in order to produce measurable results and sustainable development,” he noted.
At the panel, coordinated by journalist Yiannis Adamou, the Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus Kostas Koumis, the President of the Cyprus Marinas Association Stavros Karamontanis and the President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) Stavros Stavrou also participated.
Mr. Gkikas expressed his optimism for closer cooperation between Greece and Cyprus in the field of the Blue Economy, emphasizing that the two countries can create significant added value through joint initiatives and investments.
“The Blue Economy and blue professions constitute a huge sector. With the cooperation of Greece and Cyprus, we can see tangible, mutually beneficial results in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he stated.
The previous day, at the opening ceremony of the Festival, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, the Deputy Minister had underlined that Greece-Cyprus relations in the sectors of shipping, cruise and maritime tourism are of strategic importance and “are founded on the values of Hellenism, geographical proximity and the common European course.”
On the sidelines of his visit to Cyprus, Mr. Gkikas visited the Tomb of Makedonitissa and the Imprisoned Graves in Nicosia, while in Larnaca, he had informational meetings with staff at the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) and at the Cyprus Search and Rescue Center (KSED).
Additionally, he met with the General Director of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping Stelios Cheimonas, the Ambassador of Greece to Nicosia Konstantinos Kollias, the Chief of the General Staff of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Emmanouil Theodorou, the Mayor of Ayia Napa Christos Zannetos and the Director of the state-of-the-art Ayia Napa Marina Kostas Fytiris.
