Hellenic Tourist Properties (HTP), a state-owned company operating under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), has launched international tenders for the long lease, for 25 to 30 years, of the Zea, Flesvos and Alimos marinas.

The aim of the project is for the selected private companies to develop both the marine and terrestrial zones of the marinas. For besides the actual operation and regulation of marine traffic and events, the privatization of the marinas is expected to provide new facilities, such as hotels, bars, restaurants and other services, catering to the needs of both tourists, as well as Athenians.

"Within the existing environmental restrictions and general laws, we expect the companies to provide a well-tuned operation of the marinas as tourist ports, as well as the implementation of all necessary infrastructure investments and the in-depth restructuring of the surrounding terrestrial area," says Natassa Koromboki, a co-ordinator for HTP.

Three trailblazers
* The marina of Zea is a recreational port on the Eastern coast of the peninsula of Piraeus. Comprising an inner harbour (Passalimani), and an outer one (Freatida), this marina is a departure point for short excursions to nearby islands such as Aegina, Poros and Hydra. It also serves as an auxiliary terminal for passengers of rented or private yachts. Presently the marina can accommodate 570 vessels of all descriptions up to 45-metres long.

* The Flesvos marina is solely a recreational port located on the northeastern coast of the Saronic Bay, in the area of Paleo Falero next to the main road that links Athens and Piraeus with Cape Sounio. Comprising three piers Flesvos is uniquely situated providing great shelter for large luxury private yachts and is one of a limited number of such marinas in the Mediterranean. At the moment the marina accommodates up to 130 vessels, but it has the capacity for doubling this.

* Alimos is the largest recreational port in the South-eastern Mediterranean. Located in Kalamaki, a seashore suburb of Athens at 11 kilometres from the centre, the marina is highly accessible, and therefore has a yet unfulfilled potential of being a successful recreational point for tourists and Athenians alike. Already in great demand by marine tourism companies, due to its proximity to the Saronic islands and the Aegean, the marina can accommodate 1,100 moored vessels on the 9 piers and another 500 vessels onshore.

From state-owned to state-of-the-art
These marinas are huge assets to Greece, giving hundreds of thousands of seafaring folk access to the sea. Following the privatization of these hitherto state-owned marinas it is expected that many more people will be drawn not only to use the existing marine facilities but also to enjoy the intended seashore developments. With the upcoming 2004 Olympic Games of Athens these ports will be transformed into modern state-of-the-art facilities with an estimated 130million-euro investment capital. This is in keeping with the governments plans for 38 marinas to eventually be run by private companies.