The assumption of joint action to protect the Mediterranean sea and its coasts is more imperative than ever, to protect the sea and the sun which have rendered the Mediterranean states so popular, Kostas Koumis, Deputy Minister of Tourism has said.

According to a press release issued by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Koumis took part in a Ministerial Conference in Mesinia, Greece, at the invitation of Greek Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, to mark the commencement of a programme called «Research and Monitoring Centre for Coastal and Maritime Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean».

The programme aims to detailed monitoring of the development of coastal and maritime tourism in the Mediterranean region.

According to the Deputy Ministry, the participating countries, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and Albania agreed that coastal and maritime tourism constitutes a basic driver for growth and prosperity in the Mediterranean region and as such the protection of the surrounding coasts should be sought collectively.

Speaking to a round table discussion, Koumis underlined the significance of the initiative and the need for the Mediterranean countries to develop joint actions aiming at the protection of the Mediterranean and its coasts.

“Taking joint action for the protection of the Mediterranean sea and its coasts is more imperative than ever before,” Koumis said and added “only in this way the product ‘Sea and Sun’ which has made the Mediterranean states so popular, could be protected.”

He furthermore added that all Mediterranean countries have developed the tourist sector largely due to the Mediterranean special characteristics.

“Undoubtedly the Mediterranean countries’ beautiful coasts constitute one of their comparative advantages and each country and all collectively should take measures to protect them,” he added.

The conference took place under the auspices of the World Tourism Organisation and the Ministers signed a joint declaration on the issue.