Vyron Theologis, President Macedonia-Thrace Travel Agencies Association
Philoxenia 2012 greeting.
My dear friends and colleagues, welcome to the 28th International Tourism Exhibition Philoxenia 2012 in beautiful Thessaloniki, a city for all seasons and with sights for every taste, as you will see for yourself.
As you all know, this past summer was extremely difficult. However, in spite of this, Greece’s tourism industry rose to the occasion and amid very unfavorable conditions succeeded with supporting the country’s economy by opting to offer high quality services with price adjustments in accordance with the overall economic situation.
However, the winter tourism season faces further challenges, as we find our city isolated due to limited air connections.
As a result, we are forced to struggle with difficult constraints, which hamper the work of travel agents on a daily basis, and create a particularly hazy and unclear sector for professionals.
Further, in times of crisis and financial insecurity, many exploit the people’s need to escape from the harsh reality and their inability to travel due to the economic downturn and present them with supposed deals and offers.
For this reason, consumers must choose excursions and tourist services provided by established legitimate tourist offices.
These are just a few of the issues which professionals of the sector face daily and we are trying to solve them through the continual actions and efforts of the Macedonia-Thrace Travel Agencies Association.
We wish all the success to the 28th Philoxenia from the bottom of our hearts and renew our appointment for next year.