Greece will look to improve safety at one of the world’s most recognizable beaches as part of a wider plan to develop the very popular tourist site.

Navagio, or Shipwreck beach, on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, is one of Greece’s most visited sites. The world-renowned beach is often seen in Instagram posts and widely shared stock photos across the Internet.

A series of incidents, including the death of two tourists while taking selfies, and the injuries to several people after a landslide, has caused authorities to examine ways to make the beach safer.

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias elaborated on plans to further develop Navagio during a speech to parliament where he outlined in a draft tourism bill.

Kikilias said the legislation was aimed at restoring and upgrading the shipwreck site and addressing age-old problems.

The minister pledged to “transparently and effectively” resolve longstanding issues and transform Navagio into a “sustainable, high-quality tourism product.”

“The committee will carry out all kinds of studies and projects exclusively for Shipwreck Beach so that it can be supported, protected and included in a safety framework so that tourists, visitors and locals can visit,” he said.

Kilkias confirmed that the ministry was working on reopening the site after it was closed following a landslide in 2018, ensuring that locals can benefit.

The minister said Navagio had suffered damage yet again after recent rainfall and that careful deliberation had gone into the draft with the goal to reopen the site by summer 2022.

Featured image courtesy of Dimitris Mourousiadis via Pexels