Greece could reap some 2 billion euros ($2.21 billion) annually and create 15,000 jobs if it used lands in the European Union’s Natura program for tourism although they are protected by law, a study by the think tank DiaNEOSIS has found.

Some 25 percent of the country’s area is included and the report said developing just 40 percent of it could bring a bonanza, and that it could be done with environmentally friendly tourism programs.
With over 25 percent of Greece’s land area included in the EU’s Natura 2000 network, it is estimated that a modest tourism development of even 40 percent of this area could significantly boost Greece’s tourism market by billions of euros.

Source: The National Herald