Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the project to upgrade the Lailias ski centre as a major investment for the prefecture of Serres, saying it would enable athletes to train all year round.
“Greek tourism should aspire to be a year-round industry. We need to develop new tourist destinations and, above all, make use of mountain tourism and the extraordinary wealth of mountainous terrain our country has, much of which is still unknown to visitors from abroad. Investments like these help us develop this aspect of our tourism offering as well. Investment in sports facilities is the best thing we can offer the younger generation. This is especially true at a time when we are trying to keep our children away from mobile phone screens and addictive algorithms that keep them glued to apps that essentially offer them nothing. Being able to give them meaningful alternatives through sport is truly the best thing we can do,” the prime minister said.
The prime minister attended the blessing and handover ceremony for the upgraded ski centre.
Kefalogianni's remarks
“Today belongs first and foremost to the people of the Hellenic Mountaineering Club of Serres, who look after the mountain and know what it needs. Their cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism has resulted in a project of real significance for Serres, the wider region and mountain tourism in our country,” Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said in her speech, adding: “The investment at Lailias serves our strategic goals for the sustainable, high-quality development of Greek tourism. It creates opportunities in the regions, enriches the range of specialist tourism options our country offers and helps tourism activity expand to more destinations and more months of the year. For the Ministry of Tourism, the development of mountain tourism is a key priority. We want mountainous Greece to take centre stage and become a complete travel option throughout the year. The benefits for the local community are many.”
The minister said that significant funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility had been directed by the Ministry of Tourism towards the project to develop mountain tourism, and that a dedicated programme to promote mountainous Greece had been implemented for the first time in the country.
The project also includes upgrades to facilities at four ski centres: Anilio Metsovo, Parnassos, 3-5 Pigadia and Lailias.
For Lailias, the approved budget for the investment is nearly €10 million (€9,983,000). The investment includes modernising buildings, purchasing new equipment, improving energy efficiency and carrying out accessibility works.
“These measures serve a clear goal: a more functional centre that is more environmentally friendly, with high-quality services and scope for innovation in our country,” the minister said, highlighting accessibility in particular.
“We are investing in mountain tourism to create a competitive travel experience worthy of our country's natural and cultural wealth. The success of this investment will be evident here in Serres: among visitors who discover Lailias and want to return, professionals who will have work for more months of the year, and young people who will be able to plan their future in their own area,” Ms Kefalogianni said.