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Greece's latest tourism industry news by Greek Travel Pages

Οδηγία βαρβάρων κατά Ξένιου Διός

Η Ευρώπη πήρε το όνομά της σύμφωνα με το μύθο του Δία και της Ευρώπης, λεπτομέρειες του οποίου θα βρείτε στην αρχαία Γορτύνα (βλ. www.gtp.gr/AncientGortyna). Η Ευρώπη αναφέρεται με περηφάνια για τον "δυτικό" πολιτισμό της, οι ρίζες του οποίου βρίσκονται στην αρχαία Ελλη...

New Tourism Development Minister Appointed

In a surprise move last month, during a reshuffle of ministers the government replaced its tourism minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos, with former deputy culture minister, Fani Palli-Petralia. The change of guard, however, went smoothly with the former tourism minister alongside Ms...

No Delay in New Tourism Legislation

There will be little or no delay in Greece's new tourism legislation, according to the outgoing tourism development minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos. He said the only thing missing from the new legislation is the signature of Greece's health minister, and “being the country's new...

First Choice Buys Meridian Travel

Local incoming tour operator Meridian Travel was purchased recently by the British tour operator First Choice. Julia Laganopoulou, Meridian's managing director, says there will be no change in the company's management for the next three years, but that the company will begin...

Competitiveness of Greek Tourism Product Continues to Decline

Greece continues to lose ground as a preferred tourism destination. In 2004, Greece placed 16th as a tourism destination choice worldwide, a drop from 13th in 2002, according to the findings of a recent study titled, "The Challenge of Competitiveness and Redefining Greek Tourism...

Greek Tourism Industry Uses But 15% of Potential

Investment in Greece's tourism industry is projected to rise by an average annual rate of 5.4 percent until 2016, according to a study by the World Travel & Tourism Council. The study's authors also estimated that the Greek tourism industry uses a mere 15% of its potential.

Hoteliers Against Direct Subsidies for New Hotels

Hoteliers last month called for a more discriminating application of the investment incentives law for the construction of four- and five-star hotels, and went as far as to demand restrictions in the approval of subsidized projects.

Louis Cruise Lines Purchases 12th Vessel

Piraeus soon welcomes yet another cruise ship to its port. Louis Cruise Lines last month signed a $35-million deal for the purchase of the Birka Princess from the Finnish cruise line Birka. The new addition will bring the group's fleet up to 12, of which four fly the Greek flag....

Attica Holdings Sells Its Shares Of Hellenic Seaways

Attica Holdings (Superfast and Blue Star Ferries) last month announced the sale of 9.6m shares, or 12.3% of the share capital, of Hellenic Seaways, to Amadeus Navigation in return for 21m euros, which amounts to 2.20 euros per share. These shares represent the total investment of...

Tourism Professionals Against EU Directive on Services

The Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies last month expressed concern on how the European Union's Bolkestein directive, which is designed to open up the EU service sector, will impact the group's members.

New Accessibility Plan Promises Tourism for All

Preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2004 jumpstarted the long-needed improvements to make Greece, and Athens in particular, more accessible to people with special needs. Ongoing initiatives for improved access are being made through the Ministry of Environment's...

Greek Destinations Urged to Promote Conference and Meetings Tourism

Nature, sea, culture and city tourism are the four pillars on which the effort of the Tourism Development Ministry to enrich the Greek tourism product rests, said the ministry's special secretary, Haris Kokkosis, during the 2nd International Meetings Industry Conference (IMIC...

Traveler’s Checks Next to Extinct

Traveler's checks are on their way to extinction. They are nice to have if you have a habit of losing things or are traveling to a destination with a high crime threat, or to a very remote area, but travel professionals insist on ATMs, which are virtually everywhere these days,...

Nel Lines Acquires New Vessels and Merges with C-Link

As we go to press, shareholders of Nel-Lesvos Maritime are being asked to back a 23-million capital increase that will be used in part to acquire five used vessels. Two of the vessels are passenger ferries with Cypriot flags and three are ro-ro vessels under the Greek flag.

Crete Plans Construction of New International Airport

A new international airport costing more than 1 billion euros will be built on Crete, according to a government announcement. The new airport will be able to serve 5,000 holidaymakers at a time and will also serve as a transport hub for air cargo in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greek Agrotourism Enterprises on the Rise

According to Agrotouristiki, the number of accredited agro-tourism enterprises in Greece reach more than 1,000, with some 600 of these providing accommodation. But just 20 or so of these units are truly agrotourism units that encourage visitors to experience agricultural life at...

World Travel Trend Report Foresees Slow Travel Growth

Since economic recovery in Europe has not been as strong as expected, due in large part to weak consumer demand, travel specialists expect slow growth for their sector this year. (Greece on the other hand expects to see arrival increases this year.)

Greece Remains Top Destination

Greece consistently ranks among the top 15 destinations in the world, attracting some 14 million international travelers annually, Dublin-based Research and Markets said in their latest report, "Travel & Tourism International 2005 - Profile of Greece," which they have added...

Global Business Survey Foresees Increase in Travel

Business travelers place security lines and flight delays on the top of the list of events that most negatively affect travel. And, the majority does not want cell phone use allowed in-flight. As for travel managers, they say expectations from top management are cost savings and...

International Tourism Up by 5.5%

In 2005 international tourism sustained the sharp upturn that began in 2004 in spite of the various tragic events it had to contend. According to preliminary results presented with by the United Nations specialized agency, the World Tourism Organization, the number of...
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