Crisis Management Committee Formed Once Again

The Greek National Tourism Offices abroad have undertaken the leading role to reverse the negative climate that has been created in the foreign markets at the expense of Greek tourism, according to a recent decision made by the newly-formed Crisis Management Committee.

Following last month’s protests and riots in Greece, which left fatalities and burning buildings in Athens, the GNTO decided to set up a Crisis Management Committee that would be chaired by Nikolas Kanellopoulos, the organization’s president.

According to an announcement, the crisis management committee will promote a campaign entitled “You in Greece” designed to prevent further reservation cancellations and to attract potential visitors to the country.

The campaign involves the organization of press conferences in key cities-markets and the frequent update of information material for the GNTO offices abroad, the GNTO website and journalists.

Also, a press kit for Greek and foreign journalists will be distributed that includes a promo dvd with a message (with English subtitles) by Prime Minister Yiorgos Papandreou.

The committee also added that the GNTO portal would be enriched with information for tourists about prices and safety.

The GNTO also intends to use social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to benefit Greek tourism.

Additionally, the GNTO said it would prepare proposals to the government in regards to finding resources for the gradual payment of debt to Greek and international media.

The payment of GNTO’s debt to foreign media, such as CNN, is an “immediate solution to stop the negative publicity of Greece,” according to hoteliers in Athens.

This would be the second Greek crisis management committee formed on the initiative of the tourism leadership.

The first one was set up by ex-Tourism Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos in August 2008 after Greek bouncer Marios Antonopoulos caused fatal bodily injury to Australian tourist Doujon Zammit on Mykonos. Not much was seen of the committee since then, as it remained inactive due to reshuffles in Greece’s political scene.