By Stathis Kousounis

A Greek-American businessman has, according to sources, expressed interest in leasing a Greek island on which he intends to create a holiday resort.

The entrepreneur, whose name has not been made public, has his eye on the island of Pezonisi, also known as Nisi ton Oneiron (Island of Dreams), which lies off the coast of and belongs to the same municipality as Eretria, on the southwestern coast of Evia.

The 6.6-hectare island, which has been put up for rent by the municipality, is already occupied by a hotel consisting of two main buildings with 52 rooms and 46 bungalows, as well as auxiliary sporting and tourism infrastructure. However, the hotel has been out of operation for some years and, after holding a competition to commission the development of the unit that proved fruitless, the municipality has now decided to embark on direct negotiations for leasing the island with its existing installations.

Eretria Mayor Vasilis Velentzas has already met with the Greek-American businessman, who is interested in taking out a 20-year lease on Pezonisi and investing 3 million euros in the first three years alone to modernize the existing installations and build additions. He also said that the overall amount of the investment will be several times the initial amount and that it would create employment for some 40 people, most from the area.

The Greek-American businessman also told the mayor that he would be submitting his proposal very soon for deliberation by the municipal council.