Alternate Tourism Springs to the Forefront

Instead of the usual everyday tour packages, visitors to the recent Paris world toursim fair, were presented with interesting alternatives to sun and sea travel. Thousands upon thousands of catalogues, brochures and leaflets on country stands promoted “green” tourism, adventure trips, journeys of discovery, original and unusual excursions, and alternative types of packages to well-known destinations.

Tour operators said this is the new trend within the tourism sector. To take advantage of the trend, many of Europe’s big operators have gone as far as to open branches for alternative tourism.

However, the everyday sun and sea package was available, especially at Med destinations. Tour operators say these types of packages are always in demand, but keep getting cheaper. Greece’s plans for 2006 include a presentation of alternative forms of tourism, such as cultural, environmental, techno-logical and educational tourism at all major fairs.