Anastasios Liaskos, Secretary General Ministry of Tourism

Philoxenia 2014 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.

We are working with a strategic plan and cooperate with all tourism stakeholders, promoting on an international level the fact that Greece has the potential to offer multiple tourism experiences and unique hospitality.

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

We are forming 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 4276/2014) has 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, multi-disciplinary and beneficial tourism. Museums, archaeological sites, religious monuments, our rich cultural heritage, offer unique experiences, 12 months, 365 days a year.

We are working carefully so that the statistics for 2014 are even better than last year. All the indications up to now from the main markets are more than encouraging. All numbers for 2014 indicate that we will not only reach but surpass 21 million tourist arrivals and 13, 5 billion in revenue.

All Greeks share the responsibility and the contribution to the success of our country. We join forces to achieve the restoration of Greek Tourism in the top rankings of international tourism.

I congratulate you on your work and wish you every success for the new issue of Greek Travel Pages and Philoxenia 2014.