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Greece's latest tourism industry news by Greek Travel Pages

2004 Tourism Picture Remains Clouded

When compared with last year, the drop in tourism arrivals this year is expected to reach anywhere between less than 1% to as high as 10%. It all depends on whom you listen to. Tourism revenue, again according to whom you listen to, will drop from 5% to as high as 15% against...

World Conference to Promote Satellite Account Method

The Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) is not only about statistics, it is much more, providing concrete proof that tourism is one of the most important economic sectors and, thus, indispensable in today's world.

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.

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...

Panagiotis Bamides

This year has been one of the most difficult periods for global tourism and, of course, for our country. These difficulties brought our tourism weaknesses to the surface, not the least of which is the offer of cut-rate prices in exchange for last-minute bookings. This also showed...

Eurail Group Holds Prices of Eurail Passes for 2004

Erik A. Mollen, Eurail Group's managing director, announced last month that Eurail passes will not increase in price next year. "Our railways want Eurail Passes to provide the best possible value for money in this time of recovery," Mr. Mollen said. "With overseas markets coming...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Low Cost Carriers Not Necessarily Cheap

A Carlson Wagonlit Travel study showed that potential cost savings on low-cost carriers (LCCs) for large multinationals are, in at least half the cases, just 10% off normal costs. Carlson said effective marketing of low price offers by these carriers often leads multinationals to...

Europe Embraces Internet as Greece Waits in the Wings

With about one-third of the European population connected to the Internet, the popularity of low-cost carriers and the emergence of dynamic packaging, the European online travel market is finally taking hold. Led by the U.K., France and Germany, travel e-commerce reached 7.6...

Tourism Promotion Campaign Underway

The Hellenic Tourism Organization said it would begin its 7.3-million-euro tourism advertising campaign abroad this month. The organization's president, Yiannis Patellis, said that the campaign's theme would very much resemble that of last year and announced that Greece had...

Berlin Fair Disappointment for Greece

Berlin's international tourism exhibition last month was an eye opener for some but a chance to carry out substantial business for others. Stands at Greece's pavilion were perhaps the least visited while stands at neighboring pavilions (France, Portugal, Spain) welcomed a steady...

Full Speed Ahead For New Tourism Products

A theme park inspired by ancient Greek mythology opens in the Anavyssos area, south of Athens, in 2004 and by when all phases are fully completed, in 2006, the park is expected to attract up to 1.2 million visitors per year.

Greece To Welcome 17 Million Tourists By 2020

Greece's tourism sector remains the country's strongest economic leg, but according to the World Tourism Organization the sector will grow at a much slower rate in the next two decades and lose ground in favor of its neighbors.

European Airlines Create Online Travel Portal

Nine of Europe's leading airlines recently unveiled plans to move into the online travel market with the launch this year of a new online travel service, that sells flights and other travel products direct to the consumer.

First Batch Of Promotional Funds Handed Over To EOT

Hellenic Tourism Properties handed over some two billion drachmas to the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) recently as the first payment for the organization's tourism advertising campaigns abroad, which covers the majority of debt owed for same. As well, it's now official:...

Rodos Golf Course Up For Long-term Lease

Owner of the Afantou Golf course on Rodos, Hellenic Tourism Properties, says it has completed studies for the development of the course and that before the beginning of August it will call for expressions of interest from the international community. It expects to have completed...

Tourism Institute Says Tourism Arrivals Will Drop This Year

Private sector tourism professionals say we are in for a bad year, but the government's tourism organization insists that we'll see another increase in arrivals this year. The end result will most likely be somewhere in between.