The tourism ministry is developing a package of initiatives designed to form a comprehensive plan for persuading so-called "digital nomads" to base themselves in Greece, Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis said on Wednesday while speaking at the "Delphi Forum".

Attracting "digital nomads" is a new global trend. The Greek government has shown keen interest in this area, reflected in repeated statements by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis about making Greece attractive to professionals that are based in a country other than that of their employer or clients.

According to the Buffer 2020 survey, more than 70 pct of 'digital nomads' in this category have annual incomes that exceed 50,000 dollars, the minister said.

"We are following the issue of 'digital nomads' with great interest and attention and we are now able to move on to the next step. According to a study by the "MIT Enterprise Forum", if Greece attracted 100,000 'digital nomads' each year, with an average stay of six months, our country could benefit by more than 1.6 billion euros. This amount almost matches the weekly income brought in by 2.5 million tourists."

On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, the first and inaugural step for the preparation of a comprehensive plan for attracting digital nomads to Greece is the organisation of a round of consultations between the competent bodies. The aim is to identify a package of necessary actions that will make Greece even more attractive to digital nomads, as well as to all those who would like to work from the country for a shorter or longer period.

The tourism ministry, as he stressed, pays special attention to cooperation with co-competent ministries and private-sector and civil associations in the following areas:

- Promotion of Greece as an ideal destination for "digital nomads".

- Improving broadband infrastructure, especially in relation to the provision of high-speed internet services.

- Cooperation and exchange of infrastructure know-how and best practices with other cities abroad which are oriented to attract digital nomads.

- Cooperation with organisations that address start-up companies that employ digital nomads.

Since January 2021, Greece has entered dynamically into the global competition for digital nomads.