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UNWTO Projects a Positive 2016 for Tourism in Greece
Posted On 17 Mar 2016
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ITB Berlin 2016 – Elena Koundoura, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Greece; Iris Gleicke, Parliamentary State-Secretary at the Federal Ministery for Economic Affairs and Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai on Thursday expressed the confidence of the organization in the continued growth of the tourism sector in Greece.
In 2015, international tourist arrivals to Greece grew by seven percent to reach 23.6 million, while exports generated by the sector increased by six percent to euro 14.2 billion.
“We have no doubt that Greece will maintain a powerful image worldwide as a major tourism destination and that the country will consolidate its growth in 2016, as shown by booking trends”, Mr Rifai said on the side-lines of ITB when he met with Greek Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura to discuss the situation and prospects of tourism in Europe and Greece.
On her part, Ms. Kountoura said that the Aegean islands were already showing a positive trend in bookings and are ready to welcome an increased number of tourists for the current season.
During their meeting, Minister Kountoura highlighted that the diversification of the touristic offer, the development of new destinations and the opening of high-end accommodation facilities and services are some of the measures taken by the Greek government to enhance tourism.
“Meeting with leading tour operators at ITB, we have received very positive feedback from the German travel market, which has confirmed the increased demand in bookings for Greece”, she added.
“This news is timely for Greece as the country is advancing implementation of its new tourism policy framework, launched in 2015 to enhance international tourism”, the UNWTO’s announcement concluded.
