Tourism investment halted in Keramoti, Kavala
The General Directorate for Spatial Planning, Environmental & Agricultural Policy rejected the environmental terms proposed in the relevant study for the construction of a five-star hotel with a capacity of 300 rooms. The decision was based on the findings of the Special Ecological Assessment (SEA) and the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), along with negative opinions from the Organization for the Protection of the Natural Environment and Climate Change (OFYPEKA) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
The rejection emphasized concerns that the construction and operation of the hotel would negatively affect protected areas within the Natura 2000 network, specifically leading to the reduction and fragmentation of habitats, including sand dune ecosystems, which are crucial for local biodiversity.
The project, which was set to create the only five-star hotel in the region, was intended to be a high-end tourist development, including a central reception building, restaurants, pool bars, and multiple room complexes. However, the environmental risks outweighed the potential social and economic benefits, as no significant public interest justifying the project was identified.
The decision can be contested by those with legal standing within 30 days.
MVI Holidays, established in 2020, had leased the land for the proposed hotel, with an investment budget of approximately €22.3 million. The company had planned to build a fully-equipped resort, but the environmental concerns led to the halt of the project.
