ATHENS – Greece’s attempt to attract as many tourists as possible has led to uncontrolled and illegal development, as well as catering to the needs of the wealthy and super-rich, including plans to improve ports for yachts and super-yachts.

With an increasing number of 5-star hotels and luxury resorts opening up, yachting is becoming even more appealing, especially to the ultra-rich and celebrities who seek privacy while moving around and visiting islands.

Olympia Anastasopoulou, the Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development at the Tourism Ministry, stated that yachting tourism is a critical element in attracting more foreign visitors.

Speaking at the 19th East Med Multihull & Yacht Charter Show held at the port of Poros, she emphasized that coastal and maritime tourism could contribute to as much as 6-7.5% of the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of €194.9 billion ($214.9 billion).

Anastasopoulou said that Greece is rapidly becoming a top luxury destination, with its islands being a major attraction for people of means with yachts looking for a place to drop anchor and get away from the crowds.

She referred to data from Christie’s International Real Estate, a global network that provides exclusive home and luxury real estate services to buyers and sellers worldwide., according to GTP Headlines.

The Greek islands are now ranked second in the world for luxury yachting, behind only the French Riviera and above other favored destinations of the wealthy such as the Virgin Islands, Palm Beach in Florida, and Italy’s Costa Esmeralda.

In order to continue to attract these high-end visitors, the government is implementing a plan to upgrade tourist ports and marinas, making maritime tourism a top priority in their marketing strategy. “By 2025, we will see a whole new Greece in the field of tourist ports,” said Anastasopoulou of the ambitious plans.