€155,000 in funding allocated to Imaret Marina project

Greece’s Tourism Ministry has earmarked €155,000 for preparatory work to determine the location and secure licensing for the planned Imaret Marina in the Municipality of Maronia-Sapes, in the Rhodope regional unit.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni has signed a funding call for the location assessment and licensing procedures for the proposed Imaret Marina, which is planned within the Municipality of Maronia-Sapes in the Rhodope regional unit of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

The project is expected to receive €155,000 under the 2026–2030 Sectoral Development Programme. The funding will support the preparatory studies required to advance the marina towards implementation.

NAUTICAL TOURISM AS A DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY
Kefalogianni described the initiative as an important step towards developing the region's tourism infrastructure, highlighting nautical tourism as a strategic area for local economic growth.

During a visit to the region last year, the minister had expressed the government's commitment to moving the project forward.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Tourism Ministry also secured provisions in the Special Spatial Plan for Tourism allowing for the development of a tourist port in the designated area.

FUNDING CALL FOLLOWS APPROVAL OF SPATIAL PLAN
Following the entry into force of the Special Spatial Plan for Tourism in August 2026, a funding call was signed to include the Imaret Marina project in the 2026–2030 Sectoral Development Programme.

The €155,000 allocation is intended to cover the location assessment and licensing work needed to prepare the project for implementation.

Once developed, the marina is expected to strengthen nautical tourism in the Rhodope region and help expand its overall tourism potential.