“Fraport’s investment in Greece is a strong vote of confidence of all parties involved, namely, the Greek state, the Hellenic Asset Development Fund (TAIPED) and Fraport Greece,” its chairman Stefan Schulte said in an interview with ANA-MPA.
Schulte has been invited to Greece by the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The chairman of Fraport also said that he believed “in the potential and successful development of Greece, especially in the tourism industry. The economic measures are certainly correct, however difficult they may be. But it is also very important to have investments. Only investments can create new jobs and economic recovery. I hope, of course, that the infrastructure will send a strong signal to international markets that Greece is looking to the future creating a new, dynamic investment environment for the country and its people.”
Schulte stated that there will be no layoffs, instead there will be new hirings: “Our goal for the Greek regional airports is growth. Therefore, we will need more staff, we want to recruit as many employees as possible at Fraport Greece,” he said.
On the benefits for Greece, the chairman of Fraport said: “The Greek tourism industry will benefit from the promotion of cities and regions with airports as travel destinations, through the global network of Fraport. The aim is to increase passenger traffic and to extend the tourist season.”
Major investment
Speaking at a Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry event held in Athens on Tuesday, he also stressed said the project undertaken by Fraport is a major investment at a challenging time for the Greek economy as the deal foresees the payment of 1.234 billion euros in capital and an annual rent of 22.9 million euros on top of EBITDA yields.
“It took courage and boldness to make this investment in cooperation with our Greek partner, the Copelouzos Group. We love Greece, we believe in the country, its potential and future,” said Schulte adding that promoting Greece into a leading destination is at the top of Frankfurt-based transport group Fraport’s agenda
Fraport’s head disclosed that by 2020 investments in the 14 airports will amount to 330 million euros and annual growth is estimated at a rate of 3-5 percent boosting destination-specific tourism and opening new jobs and concluded:
“The entire investment plan meets the needs of local communities as it is expected to promote each region as a separate tourist destination. We are investing and the resultant infrastructure will remain in the country. We are committed to Greece for the next 40 years and our investment will pay off as long as there is growth.”
The full interview is available in Greek at ANA-MPA’s website.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
