Anastasios Liaskos, Secretary General Ministry of Tourism

Philoxenia 2013 greeting.

Tourism is one of the key pillars of growth, recovery and competitiveness of our country, contributing decisively to the extraversion and relaunching of the Greek economy.

From the first moment we have worked with a strategic plan and cooperated with all tourism stakeholders in order to reverse the negative image of the past, promoting on an international level the fact that Greece is changing and has the  potential to offer multiple tourism experiences and unique hospitality.

Our main task was based on the four main targets of strengthening entrepreneurship and investment, developing alternative forms of tourism, quality of infrastructure and services, and finally, investing in human resources with the upgrading of tourism professional education and the creation of new jobs.

Slowly but surely we are creating the new tourism identity of our country, strengthening the tourism product in terms of competitiveness, simplifying procedures and promoting the brand name GREECE in key destinations. The introduction of the new tourism law (Law 4179/2013) and the reduction of VAT on food & beverage, have already created a new status with new possibilities and opportunities.

Tourism of Experiences and Tourism for all Seasons represent the main core of our national tourism strategy.
The development of cruises, religious tourism, spa and wellness tourism, medical and gastronomy tourism, tourism for people with disabilities and senior citizens, contribute to the transition from the old model of “Sun and Sea,” to a quality, diversified, multidisciplinary and beneficial tourism. Museums, archaeological sites, religious monuments, our rich cultural heritage, offer unique experiences, 12 months, 365 days a year.

This year’s significant increase in tourist arrivals in Greece with more than 17.5 million visitors and 12 billion euro revenue vindicates our efforts. All Greeks share the responsibility and the contribution to the success of our country. We join forces to achieve a “total recall” of Greek Tourism in the top rankings of international tourism.

I congratulate you on your work and wish you every success for the most complete tourism guide, Greek Travel Pages and Philoxenia 2013, which is a barometer for the development of Greek Tourism.