Greece Suggests Balkans Form Tourism Committee

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos proposes that the Balkan countries create a tourism committee in an effort to better cooperate in overcoming the handicap of being single destinations. His message was carried to the recent tourism conference held in Sofia by Hellenic Tourism Organization Chairman Yiannis Patellis.

Mr. Patellis also told delegates that Greece would push for a common European tourism policy during its six-month term in the EU presidency. He said that this policy would be closely related to the tourism efforts of Balkan countries.

Separately, while the European travel industry saw its revenues fall by 2.6 percent last year, countries in Southeastern Europe noticed an increase in visitors. Turkey received 10.1 percent more visitors in 2002.