Key Tourism Figures 2016: Konstantinos Palaskonis, President General Panhellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises

Official Tourism Message

The World Travel Market and the 32st Philoxenia — the most important tourism exhibitions of the period — are the main meeting points for Greek tourism professionals.

GEPOET, the secondary collective body of Travel Agencies and Tourist Coaches of the country, would like to thank all participants for their high level presence.

Tourism breaks one record after another and 2016 was no exception. We are experiencing the establishment of our brand as a top tourism destination. Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes are high on the list of every traveller. Arrivals are surging month by month, year by year and with continuous hard work they will hopefully keep up this way. However, attention must be paid to tourism revenues also, which is the essence of our effort.

Major events in Athens and elsewhere such as the Athens Marathon, which will take place November 13, reveal the endless potential of the country’s alternative tourism product and really contribute to the goal of extending the tourism season.

We expect from the government to support the tourism enterprises as the strains are unbearable. Major delays in authorization, the highest VAT in EU are only but a few. Tourism is the only pillar of growth, the only sector that can boost our economy.

Good luck to all. We wish you a profitable season.