Two key decisions in Crete and the Cyclades are paving the way for the revitalization of inactive tourist port infrastructures, aiming to boost local development and support marine tourism.
Heraklion – Tsoutsouras: 35+10 Year Concession to the Municipality
In Tsoutsouras, Heraklion, the Municipality of Minoa Pediada has officially received management rights over the local tourist anchorage zone. The Greek Ministry of Tourism has approved a 35-year concession, with a possible 10-year extension, enabling the municipality to oversee the land and sea areas of the marina.
Key points:
Capacity: 90 berths
Annual concession fee: €5,400
The municipality must ensure year-round operation, maintain infrastructure and equipment, and comply with labor, health, and environmental regulations.
This marks a significant step toward utilizing an underused facility that holds great potential for local marine tourism development.
Paros – Naoussa: Activation Through Municipal Enterprise
Meanwhile, in Naoussa, Paros, the municipal council has approved the transfer of the tourist marina’s management to the municipal enterprise “Parko Parou”. Although the marina was completed years ago, it remained inactive due to prolonged licensing delays.
With the more flexible structure of the municipal enterprise, the goal is to accelerate licensing procedures and begin partial operations as early as the current tourist season.
Steps already taken:
On-site inspections and technical evaluations
Completion of a positive financial viability study
Plans for a programmatic agreement between the municipality and the enterprise defining roles in management, maintenance, and development
The Naoussa marina is seen as strategically vital for attracting high-quality tourism, given its location in one of the most developed areas of Paros.
Common Goal: Reactivating Dormant Marine Infrastructure
Both initiatives represent a broader national effort to revive dormant tourist ports with high potential. By transferring local management responsibilities to municipalities or their enterprises, authorities aim to streamline processes, unlock investment opportunities, and maximize the contribution of these assets to the local tourism economy.
