A proposal for the creation of a special financial program aimed at the substantial upgrade and exploitation of thermal springs in the country’s municipalities was presented by the Association of Thermal Springs Municipalities of Greece (SDIPE) in collaboration with EETAA, during the meeting of the Board of Directors of KEDE.
The proposal includes interventions for the modernization of existing infrastructure, the creation of new facilities, the upgrading of equipment, and the adaptation of services to modern market requirements. The aim is to transform thermal springs into a lever for local development, attracting investment and strengthening alternative tourism.
According to data, 84 thermal natural resources have been recognized in Greece; however, only 32 facilities have a Special Operating Label. Although thermal tourism can be combined with other forms of tourism (cultural, mountain, conference), the sector still lacks infrastructure, institutional support, and investment attractiveness.
The SDIPE requests support from the KEDE for the inclusion of the proposal in a Special Development Program for Municipalities, with co-financing from national resources and the European Investment Bank, in order to cover the significant investment gap and fully exploit the benefits of thermal tourism for local communities.
