The international construction company that "runs" the ambitious project that promises to change the tourist flow of the area, SCORPIOS CONSTRUCTION, has proceeded to open new offices in Desfina.
According to information by ered.gr, some may see the issue "warmly", because of the participation of the national organization "Enterprise Greece"in the project's business plan, which is the means for attracting investments in Greece, but others consider the situation to be complicated, who have not proceeded with the land registration, while there are areas (about 30 acres) belonging to the local community and the Municipality of Delphi, who have not yet made any decision on the matter.
The investment includes the creation of a 36-hole golf course, a 5-star hotel with a capacity of 300 rooms and the construction of a "wellness village". Facilities will also be set up to host international golf tournaments, conference and leisure venues. In the area of 3,000 acres, artificial lakes will be created and the landscape will be planted with trees.
This is an investment that aimsnot only at highlighting Desfina, but also at strengthening the wider area of already popular destinations, during the winter and the summer period, such as Delphi, Itea, Galaxidi, Arachova and Amfissa.
The investment, which has been described as "strategically important", will be made through fast track procedures and is expected to change the image of the area. According to the project plan, during the first phase of the investment, 400 people will be employed, while with the full operation of the facilities, the staff will number 1,500 people.
- Other advantages of the investment are:
- The development of the real estate sector in the wider area of Desfina
- The stimulation of the income of the inhabitants of the area through the rental of accommodation, restaurants, cafes and leisure centers
- Investment opportunities related to the golf tourism industry
- The promotion of local products and their introduction to international markets
The golf tourism industry
The strategic planning for the modernization and development of Greek Tourism includes the strengthening of golf and its dissemination, not only from a purely sporting point of view, but also as a means of attracting high level tourists. A recent ministerial decision simplifies procedures, eliminates bureaucratic obstacles and encourages investment in golf courses, provided that the facilities are adapted to the local geomorphological peculiarities and, above all, contribute to the natural beauty of the landscape.
Golf is considered worldwide as a rising and lucrative form of tourism. For the purpose or just as an excuse, this sport leads a very large and calculated portion of travelers to choose specific holiday destinations. Today, golf is an established and growing activity in more than 200 countries around the world.
The trend is the creation of "Golf Resorts", ie tourist complexes in which hospitality is combined with modern sports facilities, specifically for golf.
And as climatic conditions suitable for outdoor activities are a condition for the development of golf, Greece is in an advantageous position as it has all the individual elements to become a pole of attraction for sports fans from Europe and beyond.
According to international tourism organizations, more than 55 million people regularly follow this sport. This means that golf can contribute to the extension of the tourist season, but also to the substantial increase of incoming tourists in our country.
Golf fans, as players or as spectators, mostly belong to the upper, or even higher income category, a feature particularly important for increasing revenue and, more broadly, the quality upgrade of the Greek tourism product.
Golf tourism has grown in recent years and growth will continue as more destinations with new golf products enter the market. Europe has more than 6,000 golf courses and golf tourism is estimated to contribute directly to the European economy with around € 20 billion.
The project in Desfina, paves the way for the whole region to gain a place on the world tourist map and is an investment that will create multiple benefits at a local and national level. It is characteristic that, while our country wants to develop golf tourism, it has only one 36-hole course. With the completion of the DELPHI GOLF RESORT project, Desfina will have a comparative advantage, not only in relation to the other golf destinations in Greece, but also in relation to European and world destinations.
