connect with us
Greece's latest tourism industry news by Greek Travel Pages

A note by the publisher

Recent rumors and press reports that center on the major reconstruction of the government's tourism mechanism leave many with their imagination running wild. (See "Gigantic Government 'Tourism Machine' Planned" on page 7.) On the one hand, changes in the lethargic running of the...

Prime Minister Stresses Tourism Priority

Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis, guest speaker at the recent general assembly of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, told guests that tourism stands at the forefront of government priorities. "Tourism brings us more revenue than the total of all our country's...

Harder Times Yet to Come for Small and Mid-size Hotels

Speakers at the last month's general assembly of the Panhellenic Hoteliers' Federation told hoteliers that the worse is yet to come for small and mid-size hotels. "Only the big hotel units that offer a brand-name product and our unique small city hotels will survive within the...

Tourism Agents Promised New Operational Framework

Members of the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourism Agents were told during their general assembly last month that the policy leaders within the tourism development ministry would soon change the legislative framework on travel office operations, and would examine the...

Rental Room Owners Attend General Assembly

Representatives from the 22 room and apartment rental associations throughout Greece arrived in Athens last month to attend the annual general assembly of the Business Federation of Rented Rooms and Apartments of Greece.

Domestic Travelers Complain of Unfair Treatment

The average Greek will take two weeks' holiday this summer, most during the month of August, at a total cost of about 1,300 euros, according to an annual tourism survey released last month.

Greek Tourism Revenue Data from Brussels

Greek tourism recorded a net revenue gain of 7.4 billion euros in 2003, according to the official Eurostat data published last month in Brussels. The revenue from tourists who visited Greece came to 9.6 billion euros in 2003, while Greek tourists spent around 2.2 billion euros...

Olympic Sites Open to Tourism Utilization

The Olympic Stadium complex will become a center for sport, tourism and recreation, while two museums will be built on the site of the International Broadcasting Center, according to a recent announcement from the ministry of culture.

Gigantic Government “Tourism Machine” Planned

Greece's tourism ministry plans to turn the public end of the tourism sector into a gigantic tourism mechanism with 37 directorates and 72 tourism offices at home and abroad, according to recent reports.

Aktina and Horizon Join Forces

Two of the country's major tourism offices, Aktina and Horizon, joined forces last month and will begin their cooperation as of July 1 under the name Aktina-Horizon S.A. This follows the merger announcement earlier this year of Aktina Travel with Marine Tours, where the two...

Sleek Presentations at Panorama 2005

The record number visitors to the Greek capital's annual domestic tourism fair, Tourism Panorama, which was opened this year by Deputy Minister for Tourism Development Anastassios Liaskos, saw sleek presentations by a good number of the country's regional prefectures.

Greece and India Sign Tourism Cooperation Agreement

Tourism ties between India and Greece were recently strengthened with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Indian Association of Tour Operators and the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourism Agents. The signing took place last month during the 5th World...

Capital’s Hotels Struggle to Break Even

There is something really wrong in Athens. The country's capital has been on the positive side of world news for months now, and almost everyone you talk to abroad say they want to visit the city, yet latest reports reveal that Athens hotel occupancy rates continue to fall to...

Alternate Tourism Springs to the Forefront

Instead of the usual everyday tour packages, visitors to the recent Paris world toursim fair, were presented with interesting alternatives to sun and sea travel. Thousands upon thousands of catalogues, brochures and leaflets on country stands promoted "green" tourism, adventure...

Millions of Visitors from China Expected

If the right policies are followed, Greece can expect a large number of tourists from China in the coming years, when that country is projected to become the world's biggest tourism market, according to a study by the Institute of Tourism Research and Forecasts.

New Legislation to Attract Tourism Investment

To attract foreign investors to the tourism sector, three ministries are cooperating (Environment, Town Planning & Public Works, Tourism Development, and Economy & Finance) in an effort to develop a new legislative framework that would lift numerous and serious...

Greeks Rave Over Budapest Spring Festival

The recent annual Budapest Spring Festival has developed into a popular international cultural event with more than one-third of its audience arriving from abroad to attend the various presentations. The two-week program this year, which is the 25th year for the event, included...

The City of Athens To Establish Tourism and Economic Development Agency

Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis recently submitted a proposal before City Council to establish a tourism development agency in collaboration with the private sector, as part of efforts to raise the Greek capital's profile as a year-round tourism destination.

Best Western Holds Semi-annual Meet in Athens

Last month Athens was the venue for the semi-annual meeting of executives and country representatives of Best Western International. The last time such a meeting was held in Greece was in 2001 (Crete). During the meet, Carol Marriott, president and managing director of Best...

Mont Parnes Completes First Phase of Major Renewal

At a press call last month, executives from the Mont Parnes Casino complex outlined the many changes that have taken place and that are underway at the complex. Owners intend to invest more than 110 million euros in renewal projects.
12