Yiannis Evangelou

President,
Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies

Philoxenia 2006 greeting.

During the last two years, Greek tourism has entered a phase of great improvement. However, we must not rely completely on these positive developments. All of us, the state, local government, and businessmen are responsible for the positive developments, and any possible negative results.

Today, Greek tourism has passed beyond the first stage of development to a period of maturity. It is imperative that we identify the potential of our tourism product, move forward with specific goals for every market and product.

We are faced with an international, slightly polarized market that operates on its own terms. We must not stand by idly as mere spectators. Instead we must create partnerships for cooperation among all the elements in the tourism production process. Let’s create business networks for tourism enterprises. This is the only way we will create strong institutions, penetrate foreign markets and succeed in the economies of scale.

All of us who work in travel agencies should take on initiatives. Let’s become the connecting link between supply and demand, let’s adapt to the new circumstances as quickly as possible.

I invite all those in business to reestablish our strategies, to move forward together, to utilize the full potential of Greek tourism, to take the future of Greek tourism into our hands.