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Greece's latest tourism industry news by Greek Travel Pages

Superfast Ferries Considers New Investment Program

After the sale of four of its first-generation super-fast ferry vessels, Attica Enterprises reportedly has its eyes on foreign shipyards for the construction of new vessels within the framework of a new investment program. This time, however, the new vessels concern its coastal...

Athenian Hotels Record Major Drop in Overnights

Overnights in the Athens area dropped an average drop of 11.5% last year when compared with 2002, according to statistics released last month by the Attica Hoteliers' Association. The association says the drop is phenomenal considering it took place the year prior to Athens...

Athens Hosts Europe’s Hotel Managers

Some 280 hotel managers from throughout Europe arrived in Athens recently to take part in the European Hotel Manager Association's 31st general assembly. During the assembly participants heard in-depth reports on Europe's hotel industry and its difficulties.

ITB 2004 Expects More Than 9,000 Exhibitors

The International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin 2004, which will take place from 12 to 16 March on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds and in the International Congress Center ICC Berlin, represents every aspect of the value-added chain in the international tourism industry.

Panorama Tourism Fair Premieres Olympic Greece

Visitors to this year's tourism fair Touristiko Panorama get the first glimpse of "Olympic Greece" and also get the chance to form initial impressions on the tourism dimension of the greatest challenge facing the country in modern times.

CSA and Korean Air Sign Code-share Agreement

Korean Air, a SkyTeam alliance member, begins flying between Prague and Seoul, South Korea, as of May 22 with Czech Airlines as its code-share partner. The Czech flag carrier will offer its passengers flights to Seoul and will also be the general agent for cargo.

Tourism Sector Lacks Pertinent Data

The decision making process for most business enterprises and for the formation of a general economic sector policy, such as a tourism policy, begins with the attempt to obtain as much data as possible.

Air France-KLM Merger Approved

Competition commissons in both the European Union and America last month approved the proposed merger between Air France and Holland's KLM airlines. With this approval of the carrier's de facto takeover by Air France, KLM's life as an independent airline comes to an end.

National Tourism Council Reorganization

Just before the New Year's holidays, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos announced the reorganization of the National Tourism Council. He said he wanted the council to play a bigger role in shaping policy, and not merely act as an advisory body to the minister.

Tourism Arrivals down Slightly in 2003

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said Greece has begun a "communication blitz" for Greek tourism promotion abroad in 2004, planning to expand beyond Europe after January. Meanwhile, employees of the Hellenic Tourism Organization are meeting to decide on possible...

Planned New Convention Center Includes New Hotel

The Attica hotel owners association met with the head of Hellenic Tourism Properties recently to discuss the construction of a convention center at the old Athens International Airport at Hellenikon. When and if completed, the center will accommodate 8,000 participants. A hotel...

Economic Death Toll for Royal Olympia Cruises

Royal Olympia Cruises, Greece's only international player in the sector, has been forced by creditors to auction off its two star vessels, Olympia Voyager (launched June, 2000) and Olympia Explorer (launched April, 2002).

Full Liberation of Ferry Routes Doubtful

Presently, four of Greece's major ferry routes -- Dodekanissos, Cylades, Argosaronikos, Crete -- fulfill the requirements for complete liberation when discussions are finalized between Greece's merchant marine ministry and the European Commission.

Legislation Tabled for Spa Tourism

Legislation was tabled in parliament recently that if passed would modernize Greece's 1920 legislation regarding spa tourism. Government says the new legislation would create a solid base for the development of spa tourism in Greece by both the public and private sector.

Tourism Sector Swamped in Unpaid Debts

Foreign tourism concerns owe their Greek counterparts more than two billion euros for tourism services rendered, according to recent press reports. Although most of the debt concerns 2003, some has been carried over from previous years.

Corporate Online Travel Bookings to Double in Next Three Years

The battlefield lines are being drawn in the evolving online corporate travel arena. Players positioned at the brink of head-to-head combat, as well as those scuffling behind the front lines, are engaged in an intriguing mix of cooperation and competition. Many are devising...

Vagonetto-Fokis Mining Park A Laudable Tourism Attractio

There are many captivating mining parks around the world. In Greece there's the Vagonetto-Fokis Mining Park, just kilometers away from popular sites such as Delphi, Arachova, Itea, Gravia, Amfissa and Galaxidi. This fascinating park has nothing to envy from its global...

Tourism Key Economic Activity for Foreign Investment

Greece is emerging as a hub of inter-European networks in the Balkans and hopes to attract large investment schemes in key sectors such as energy and tourism, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos told a conference on "Greece: The Economic Center of Southeastern Europe" held...

New Railway Section Cuts Travel Time

Prime Minister Costas Simitis, along with Transport Minister Christos Verelis, last month inaugurated a new, improved section of the Athens-Thessaloniki railway that cuts travel time between Greece's two major cities by 27 minutes, to four hours and 30 minutes. "What was once...

Superfast Ferry Sold to Italian Group

Attica Enterprises announced last month that Atlantic Navigazione of Grimaldi Group, Napoli, has entered into an agreement with its wholly owned subsidiary Superfast Ferries to acquire the fast ferry Superfast I.