Cultural Tourism Conference At Philoxenia

For the first time, a cultural and heritage tourism conference will be held at the Philoxenia tourism fair, November 16-19. Holding a conference during the popular and well-attended Philoxenia fair trade show is a new concept being promoted by Helexpo, the fair organizer, and the Alexandreion Technological Education Institute of Thessaloniki.

The co-organizers say that holding a conference during the fair gives delegates the chance to participate in both events. The international forum, with a different topic every year, will let participants exchange information, network and increase knowledge on best practices in travel and tourism.

This year’s forum treats cultural tourism as an alternative type of tourism the government can use to reposition and diversify its tourism product. Cultural tourism covers not only civilization and history, but for instance, gastronomy, religious pilgrimages, festivals and athletic events. The cultural tourism market is one that Greece has a competitive advantage in because of its wealth of cultural and historical artifacts, history and civilization, and unique physical environment.

Conference speakers, from Greek and international universities and associations, will discuss a range of topics from marketing, branding and promoting cultural tourism to developing and managing cultural heritage attractions on a local and national level.

The cultural tourism theme for the conference is a timely choice. A recent study by the Athens Academy titled, Cultural Heritage as a Development Factor for the Greek Economy, estimates that this form of tourism contributed only 0.05 percent to the Greek GDP in 2004, while tourism contributed 15 percent.

When compared to 1990, visits to museums and archaeological sites have declined 35 percent and revenues have remained about the same.

The study recommends that sites not only be upgraded and better maintained but that innovative approaches, such as multimedia and websites, must be used to attract visitors and make learning about the sites an interactive experience.