The impressive development prospects for Greece’s diving tourism are highlighted by the following recently undertaken initiatives:
Firstly, a unique ‘archaeological’ scuba park off Attica prefecture’s eastern coast – the southern Evoikos Gulf – will feature 26 well-preserved underwater shipwrecks. The initiative to showcase the underwater attractions is envisioned in agreement reached on Wednesday between Attica Regional Authority governor Rena Dourou, Marathon Mayor Ilias Psinakis, Lavrio Mayor Dimitris Loukas and Culture Minister Aristidis Baltas.
According to a culture ministry announcement, the dive park aims to serve as an “underwater museum” and will have six visitable sites off the Evia island harbour of Styra, the Kavalliani – Almyropotamos cove area, the Petalioi islets, Akio islet and the Portolafia resort in southern Evia, along with sites further south, off Makronisos and the small Attica port of Lavrio.
19 underwater archaeological sites
A presentation of the planned project was held at the Attica region’s offices, which outlined the work launched by the Underwater Antiquities Ephorate in 2006 to explore and chart the ancient and Byzantine-era shipwrecks located in the seas around the greater Athens area and southern Evia, from the rock islet of Kavalliani to Cape Kafireas (Cavo D’Oro) and Cape Sounio.
A total of 19 underwater archaeological sites with 26 shipwrecks have been identified, while the search for more important shipwrecks is continuing.
Underwater weddings at Alonnisos
At the same time, authorities at the Greek island of Alonnisos have made some innovative decisions in order to increase the tourism rate on the island in the coming summer season. The actions they have prepared focus on diving and hiking tourism, as well as on original events, such as underwater weddings.
Their main goal is to expand the touristic season on the island through alternative actions and proposals, which are inherent in the flora, the fauna and the natural beauty of the island and to highlight the regions advantages.
Alonissos’ touristic promotion program was created in cooperation with the tourism consultant of the municipality, MTC Group. The program will explore pioneering low-cost methods to attract tourists to the island.
Birmingham Dive Show
Finally, in order to attract Europe’s market of over 5 million divers, 11 scuba-diving centers joined Scuba Hellas in a presentation of Greece’s scuba offerings during the two-day Birmingham Dive Show (DIVE) held at London’s National Exhibition Center (NEC) earlier this fall.
Exhibition participants visited the Scuba Hellas stand to gain more information on diving tourism in Greece. With over 200 diving centers across the country, NEC participants got to know more about the best Greek destinations to pursue the sport, the facilities and services available, where and when to see Greece’s 150 shipwrecks and underwater caves, and much more relating to their favorite hobby.
Comprehensive and practical guide
Scuba Hellas aims to promote Greece’s diving tourism and offers among others a comprehensive and practical guide to the options available including dive tourism package holidays and more.
Next year’s Nec Dive Show is set to take place on October 22-23.
Diving centers that attended the London event under scubahellas.com were: Aegean Divers, Santorini; Amorgos Scuba Diving; Aqua Team Dive Center, Porto Rafti-Kythnos; Aquatic Scuba Diving Club, Kefalonia; Dikelas Dive Center, Karistos – Evia; Kea Divers, Kea; Kos Divers, Kos; Lepia Dive Centre, Rhodes; Poseidonia Dive Center, Corfu; Sea Breaze Technical Diving Facility, Athens – Vouliagmeni; and Sea U Dive Center, Folegandros.
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