Gournes, Crete tourism project moves to environmental licensing phase

Dimand, the publicly listed developer that purchased the former U.S. military base at Gournes, Crete from Ellaktor, is advancing a €351 million mixed‑use tourism and commercial complex. The plan, now under environmental impact assessment review, will create a new tourism pole covering about 345,600 m², with 55,562 m² of built area.

The development includes two major hotel clusters totalling 1,614 beds – a five‑star hotel with 762 rooms and bungalows, and a larger tourist accommodation with 852 rooms, bungalows and 54 residential units – alongside extensive spa and wellness facilities. A retail zone of roughly 9,700 m² will host shops, a supermarket, eateries and event spaces. The original casino proposal has been dropped in favour of family‑friendly and wellness‑oriented offerings.

The environmental study submission marks the transition from planning to licensing, signalling the next step toward construction of what will become one of Greece’s largest private tourism investments.