Minister Meets Tourism Professionals

Greek tourist spots that lack English-language GNTO brochures is like going to war without ammunition, commented Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos last month during his visit to Rodos. His comment came after his surprise visit to the Greek National Tourism Organization office on the island.

During his visit Mr. Geroulanos met with the secretary general of the region, mayors, hotel associations and tourism professionals.

“It is clear that the resources we have at our disposal are extremely limited and it is very important to prioritize for the island’s development,” he said.

The culture and tourism minister also met with the Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers last month and was informed of the hotel industry’s main problems.

Greek hoteliers highlighted the Greek tourism product’s reduced competitiveness in the “very demanding international environment” due to the economic crisis.

Meanwhile, according to Greek press reports, the government is proceeding with plans for the establishment of two new General Secretariats of Tourism within the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

The general secretariats of tourism are scheduled to deal with the planning and arrangement of the country’s tourism policy and the preparation of Greece’s tourism development.

Greek press reports say an annual expenditure of 60,000 euros for each of the next five years will be required for the general secretariats, while six new positions would also open.