Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni spoke to Giorgos Evgenidis on protothema‘s show Direct about the challenges facing Greek tourism, the need to implement the law, and what she experienced during her divorce. Referring specifically to her legal battle with her ex-husband, Minos Matsas, she revealed she was blackmailed, highlighting the difficulties female politicians face when targeted by personal attacks.

Historic records and new challenges

Ms. Kefalogianni emphasized that Greek tourism is currently in a particularly dynamic phase, with arrivals and revenues hitting historic highs over the past two years. However, she stressed the need for quality growth and sustainable resource management, noting that the tourist season should be extended to 12 months and not be limited to summer only.
“In 2024, we saw double-digit growth in the first five months, showing that we’re winning the bet on temporal expansion of tourism,” she stated.
“It’s not enough to say what we’ll do in the summer. What matters is what we do before and after the peak season,” she pointed out.

She also referred to the importance of spatial expansion, stating that Greece can offer far more than just classic summer destinations.

Athenian revival and Airbnb regulation

Speaking about Athens, the minister highlighted the rapid transformation of the capital as a destination.
“In the past, Athens wasn’t a destination. It was just a stopover,” she noted, explaining that targeted efforts to promote the city as a city-break destination have yielded positive results, with the city now attracting visitors year-round.

Regarding short-term rentals like Airbnb, Ms. Kefalogianni announced that the ministry is now establishing a stricter framework, allowing it to conduct inspections through its own mechanisms to enforce the law.
“At this stage, there’s no need to discuss new restrictions,” she said, adding that the overdevelopment of short-term rentals can create pressure in certain areas but hasn’t yet reached overtourism levels.

The minister also spoke about the strategy for Greece’s most popular destinations, such as Santorini and Mykonos, stressing that each location must find its own balance between growth and sustainability. Specifically for Santorini, a special international campaign will be launched due to the unrest caused by recent seismic activity.

Camper vans

Ms. Kefalogianni also addressed the issue of camper vans, emphasizing that sustainability requires clear rules and respect for public spaces.
As she underlined, camper vans may only park in places permitted by the Highway Code – not on beaches, forest land, or archaeological sites – with fines imposed on those who break the law.
“We’re doing the obvious here: we’re saying there are rules. Freedoms and rights in public spaces concern everyone,” she said.

Her personal battle for her children

Olga Kefalogianni also spoke about her personal life and the difficult experience of the custody battle for her children with Minos Matsas.
“I had to go to court for my children because I was blackmailed,” she revealed.
“When you’re a public figure, it’s easy for someone to say, ‘either you do what I tell you or I’ll destroy you.’ It takes a lot of strength to resist that. I will move forward with my truth and my love for my child.”
She concluded by saying:
“Whatever happens to us, it’s important to get up with greater overall understanding of things and with empathy.”