Time for Greece to Capitalize on Safety, Its Strong Point

BERLIN – It’s time for Greece to capitalize on its leading strong point – security, Michalis Vamiedakis, Crete Tourism Commissioner told the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) during the ITB Berlin on Thursday.

Crete Tourism Commissioner Michalis Vamiedakis with Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura at ITB Berlin 2017.

“The good news is that we are seeing increased bookings and more reservations for the off season period like April and May, the bad news that many of these bookings have been made very early when hoteliers made extremely low offers which is bound to take a bite out of revenue,” Vamiedakis told the GTP, adding that the resultant increase in tourism due to the situation in Turkey must be taken advantage of.

“It is vital that we capitalize on the current demand for Greece, offer the finest services at competitive prices and promote the added advantage of Greece right now, namely that it is a safe and secure destination,” Vamiedakis said, echoing the sentiments of many of his colleagues at the ITB.

But he was quick to point out that stakeholders must also “remain wise, keep their prices down and spread the word that Greece is value for money due to the safety it offers”.

“We must also aim parallel to the sea and sun concept to promote new tourism segments like agro-tourism, health, conference and other forms of the product offering diversity and at the same time focusing on what brings in travelers.”