connect with us
Greece's latest tourism industry news by Greek Travel Pages

Legislation for Tourism Marketing Firm

Legislation before parliament foresees the creation of a tourism marketing firm, most likely under private management. According to the legislation, 51% of the firm's capital will be held by the Hellenic Tourism Organization and the remaining 49% will be split among regional...

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.

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...

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...

Government Replaces Its Tourism Leaders

The government says it will present a comprehensive restructuring plan for the country's tourism administration. The announcement followed the replacement of government tourism leaders and the reshuffling of responsibilities among the Development Ministry's General Secretariat...

Greece’s Tourism Sector Fighting to Survive

Greek hoteliers described tourism as being at its lowest ebb in 30 years, “and the government is doing nothing to help,” said Vassilis Miniades, president of the Panhellenic Hoteliers' Association, during a recent press call.

HATTA Wins Ruling on Commission Fees

Greece's Competition Commission fined Greece's two biggest airlines, Olympic and Aegean, a total of 210,000 euros for complicity in reducing the commission paid to travel agents, from 9.25 percent to 6.94 percent, on tickets for domestic flights.

Tourism Secretariat to Take over Tourism Organization

If Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos's recent announcement comes to pass, the Hellenic Tourism Organization will be merged with the development ministry's general secretariat for tourism and a new company, EOT SA, will undertake Greece's promotion as a tourism destination,...

Government Talks of Tourism Reforms

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos told journalists last month that the government hoped tourism would soon become "the basic economic factor in our country's economic and social development."

Tourism Study Says Sector Prime Future Employer

By 2010 the Greek tourism sector could create some 150,000 new jobs and thus cover 35% of today's unemployed, according to a study released last month by the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE).

Summer Arrivals Offset Earlier Losses

An increase in foreign arrivals during the early part of the summer so far has helped cancel the losses seen in the early part of the year. And in an effort to stem some profiteering, particularly at eating establishments, government inspectors continue to visit tourism...

Hoteliers Upset Over Government’s Refusal To Change Depreciation Rate

Greek hoteliers continue efforts to pressure government quarters to change depreciation rates for tax purposes from 4% to the 8% it was some two years ago. Representatives from Greek Hotel Chamber and the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises say they are very disappointed...

Tourism Organization Unveils New Logo for 2004

After 144 proposals from 53 participants in the recent call for a new logo from the Hellenic Tourism Organization, executives of the organization selected 28 proposals and of these six were selected for awards.

Worst Tourism Season in 30 Years

Greece's tourism enterprises haven't felt such negative pressure in 30 years, says the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourism Agents. "The negative economic effects experienced thus far have reached dangerous proportions for the future of tourism enterprises," says the...

Tourism Resolution For New EU Constitution

European parliamentarian Kostas Hatzidakis recently put forth a resolution for tourism to be included in the European Union's new constitution. The resolution was adopted by the European Parliament Committee for Regional Policy, Transportation and Tourism.

New Decree to Ease Sale of Properties for Tourism Development

A presidential decree ready to be signed opens the way for tourism development projects on large land plots by the private sector. Projects would combine hotel resorts and holiday home complexes that would be up for sale or taken on a long-term lease basis, according to recent...

A New Tourism Complex for Peloponnesos

Deputy Development Minister Dimitris Georgakopoulos unveiled plans to build a state-of-the-art tourism complex that would include popular alternate forms of tourism such as spa, marine and golf facilities.

Charter for Athens Convention, Exhibitions and Visitors Bureau Signed

After two years of efforts, four of the country's major tourism organizations got together last month to sign the founding charter of the Athens Convention, Exhibitions and Visitors Bureau (Athens CVB). The founding member organizations included the Hellenic Association of Travel...

Development Minister Announces Need for National Tourism Promotional Policy

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos told regional authorities and tourism professionals in Chalkidiki that we needed a national promotional plan for tourism and that we must create a marketing company that would have the responsibility to promote the country's tourism...