A new Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) issued by the Ministries of Environment & Energy and Tourism introduces six specific criteria for designating an area as a Model Integrated Tourism Destination (ΠΤΠΟΔ in Greek).
To qualify, an area must meet two fundamental conditions:
It contributes to enhancing Greece’s tourism image, and
It requires special management, with concrete initiatives undertaken by the relevant local authorities (OTA).
Applications submitted by municipalities must be accompanied by a detailed report analyzing these criteria and outlining the methodological approach used—based on measurable goals, indicators, data, and expected outcomes.
Each section of the report must document, analyze, and assess existing data, with references to data sources and supported by maps, photos, diagrams, or other evidence.
The Six Criteria for Designation as a ΠΤΠΟΔ:
Distinctive Characteristics of the Area:
This includes at minimum:
Geographical area and administrative boundaries
Physical and geomorphological environment
Population data
Historical and cultural features
Social and economic profile
Land-use regulations
Environmental data
Proximity to ports and airports
Infrastructure and Services:
Assessment of:
Road networks and public transport
Health, water, and energy infrastructure
Innovations in service delivery
Performance indicators (e.g., water/energy consumption, air quality, CO₂ emissions, waste generation, digital coverage, electric vehicle adoption, bike paths, sustainable transport investments, safety and hygiene compliance)
Accessibility:
Indicators include:
Proportion of accessible attractions and certified accommodations
Tourism facilities with accessibility measures
Availability of accessible information on official tourism portals
Number of accessible businesses and attractions
Accessibility standards and compliance across services and infrastructure
Tourism Performance:
Based on:
Tourist arrivals, revenues, seasonality, average length of stay
Occupancy rates in traditional and short-term rentals
Tourism’s contribution to employment
Resident satisfaction (based on surveys)
Visitor-to-resident ratios
Number of heritage sites and protected areas
Number of tourism businesses and certified experiences (e.g., visitable wineries, dairies, etc.)
Sustainable Destination Management:
Includes:
Presence of Destination Management/Promotion Organizations
Strategic plans for sustainable tourism development
Risk and crisis management strategies
Carrying capacity studies
Awards and participation in tourism networks
Promotional campaigns aligned with sustainability goals
Future Sustainability Assurance:
Encompasses:
Creation or operation of local/regional Sustainable Tourism Observatories
Ongoing monitoring of economic, social, cultural, and environmental indicators
Establishment and support of Destination Management & Marketing Organizations (DMMOs)
