Munich Based Think-Tank Receives Update On Greek Tourism

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni with representatives of the Southeast Europe Association (SOG). Photo source: Greek Tourism Ministry

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni presented Greece’s action plan for tourism to representatives of the Southeast Europe Association (Südosteuropa-Gesellschaft – SOG), a Munich based think-tank.

The main task of SOG is to foster and enhance the relationship between Germany and the countries in Southeastern Europe in the fields of science, economy and culture.

During a meeting held on 17 June in Athens, Mrs. Kefalogianni informed the German guests on the tourism sector’s contribution to the economy and Greece’s exit from the crisis.

In this context, she informed that in the first five months of 2014, Athens saw a new record of arrivals of around 35 percent. During the same period, arrivals to Greece were up by 15 percent.

The Greek tourism minister also referred to interventions made in the tourism sector such as the development of special interest tourism forms (medical tourism, agritourism, sea tourism, city tourism) to make Greece a year-round tourist destination.

Mrs. Kefalogianni also referred to changes made to the special zoning plan for tourism in order to attract more foreign investment to the country.

She also underlined the significance the Greek Tourism Ministry shows on tourism education and the training of those involved in tourism in order to constantly improve the quality of offered services to visitors.

She noted that Greece launched a pilot dual vocational education and training system for young Greeks that want to pursue a career in the tourism sector. The project is based on the German vocational training system, which has proved its success over a long period.