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Greece's latest tourism industry news by Greek Travel Pages

A note by the publisher

Σε εποχές ευημερίας όπου όλα βαίνουν καλώς, λίγοι είναι αυτοί που ασχολούνται με τις μικρές στατιστικές αποκλείσεις στην καταμέτρηση της τουριστικής κίνησης που βγαίνουν στη δημοσιότητα από διάφορες πηγές και στο γεγονός ότι οι πηγές αυτές δεν έχουν καν εναρμονισμένες στατιστικές...

Tourism Ministry Joins Forces With SETE

Tourism Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos and the president of the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises, Nikos Aggelopoulos, recently decided to work together on issues in relation to tourist traffic data and marketing strategies.

Government Not Taking Tourism Seriously

Because government fails to enact in unison the tourism sector fails to perform at an acceptable level, says the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises.

Major Increase in Tourism Complaints

The Consumer Protection Center recently released consumer complaints—in regards to tourism services and establishments—recorded from 1 July to 15 August and called on to the ministries to finally deal with the situation.

Greek Beaches Stripped of Blue Flags

Fourteen Greek coasts, winners of the 'Blue Flags' international program for environmental education, information and awareness were recently dropped from the 2008 list and lost their award.

Ministry Announces Initial 2008 Tourism Data

Prior to an agreement between state tourism officials and the private tourism sector (see page 3), Geece's tourism ministry expressed its satisfaction with this year's tourism figures.

ATEDCO Becomes Official Tourism Organization

The Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCO) recently became an official member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and sealed its role as an official tourism body of the city.

New Gateway to Greece

Transport and Communications Minister Costis Hatzidakis recently announced a joint ministerial decree in which Araxos National Airport (45 km west of Patras) becomes an official air gateway to Greece.

XL Leisure Goes Bust

Britain's third largest package holiday operator XL Leisure Group went bankrupt last month due to high prices for jet fuel and adverse economic conditions.

Tourism Forum on Rodos

The Third International Rhodes Tourism Forum, organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Dodecanissos and the Association for the Development and Progress of the Dodecanissos, will be held on Rodos 24-25 October.

Airlines to Lose Billions This Year

The International Air Transport Association recently announced a revised industry financial forecast for airline losses this year and 2009 and evaluated that the difficult business conditions will remain.

EU Agrees to Olympic Airlines’ Privatization

The European Union last month gave its consent to Greece's plan to privatize the Greek carrier Olympic Airlines next year, but said the airline must pay back 850 million euros in illegal state aid it received between 2005-2007.

Plan for Privatization of All Greek Airports

The interministerial committee for denationalization last month gave the 'green light' for the utilization of regional airports by private investors.

Positive Tourism Trend to Athens Continues

A recent study shows that tourists to Greece's capital spend more money, visit more sites and keep hotels more profitable, and it appears that the trend will continue.

Fewer Ferry Routes and Higher Fares Affect Tourism

Fare increases in conjunction with route cuts had a negative impact on traffic to the Aegean and Ionian islands.

Measures for Development of Patras Port

The Ministry of Mercantile Marine, The Aegean and Island Policy recently held discussions in Patras on the development plan of the city's port.

Alexandroupolis Harbor to be Privatized

Shipping giants Dubai Ports and Maersk Lines have expressed an interest for the Alexandroupolis harbor, which seems to be the next Greek port to be privatized after foreign investors took over the management of Greece's two biggest ports, Piraeus and Thessaloniki, in regards to...

New Tax Measures Cause Reactions

Minister of Economy and Finance Yiorgos Alogoskoufis recently announced new tax measures that raised the concern of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels.

Hotel Chamber Seeks Solutions from Health Minister

The board of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels recently discussed key issues with Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos that concern both the hotel industry and the health ministry.

Greek Hotel Profits

A recent survey by Stat Bank characterized the Greek hotel sector as a "two-speed industry" since 58 percent of hotels showed profits and 42 percent reported losses in 2007.
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