Dinos Astras, President Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers

Philoxenia 2013 greeting.

Following a promising season so far, during which there has been a significant increase in tourist arrivals, providing tourism entrepreneurs optimism and hope, it is now time to regroup and get organized so that we can maintain this upward trend and keep it stable for the years to come.

Greek tourism professionals regained some of their “lost” glory and through simple ways, such as returning to the beauty of simplicity hidden in tradition and history, regained the confidence of tourists.

The conference sector is following the general trend towards recovery despite possible difficulties created mainly by government and other bodies that reversed, out of the blue, the upward trend of conferences by pulling the rug from under the PCO’s (Professional Congress Organizers) feet.

After a long struggle, given by HAPCO and its members, the situation is now showing signs of improvement and the right balance is in close reach where the PCO’s role is not only functional but effective as well.

The recovery of all forms of Greek tourism is everyone’s concern and this can be achieved only through cooperation of the private and public sector!

For the benefit of all concerned, we must move forward and leave behind past mentalities which promoted individual interests against the common good continue.