SETE: 9th Tourism & Development Conference

The challenge of adding tourism to the Greek government’s development priorities will be analyzed at the ninth annual tourism and development conference of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) scheduled for 18-19 October.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Tourism in the new social and economic reality in Greece. Priority in Government-Consciousness in society.”

The two-day conference will be held at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in central Athens on 18 October and continue at The Westin Athens Astir Palace Beach Resort in Vouliagmeni on 19 October.

According to SETE, Greece is going through a unique economic and social period that obviously has a direct affect on the country’s tourism industry.

“When the aim is to promote and support the only sector of the economy that may prove competitive in international terms, both social consent and government commitment are demanded for this goal,” the association said.

“The main question here is if the government will include tourism among its main priorities since tourism is among the economic sectors that exhibit strong reflexes during the expansion of economic cycles,” SETE said.

Keynote speakers at the conference will be representatives of the Greek government, media representatives, bank representatives, academics and entrepreneurs.

The association’s annual tourism and development conferences have proved important to open discussions and create public dialogue on tourism and are aimed at investors, entrepreneurs, senior business executives and public sector officials who aspire to have an active role in the development of Greek tourism.

Tourism in the new social and economic reality in Greece Priority  in Government-Consciousness in society

Program

Monday, 18 October 2010
Grande Bretagne, Athens
19:30–20:30    Cocktail
20:30–22:30    Dinner, speaker: Mr. G. Provopoulos, Governor of the Bank of Greece

Tuesday, 19 October 2010
The Westin Athens, Vouliagmeni
09:00–09:45    Registration, coffee
09:45–10:00    Address by the President of SETE, N. Angelopoulos
10:00–11:45    Session 1: Tourism as a priority of the government.

Panel:

• Mr. M. Chrisohoidis, Regional Development and Competitiveness Minister
• Mr. G. Nikitiadis, Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister

• Mrs. O. Kefalogiannis, New Democracy Party Tourism Sector Head
• Mr. P. Tsartas, Rector, University of Aegean
• Mr. A. Andreadis, First Vice President of SETE

Moderator:    • Mr. F. Karzis, Journalist

11:45–12:30    Break
12:30–14:15    Session 2: How do we understand the broader role of tourism in economy and society?

Panel:

• Mrs. L.Katseli, Labor and Social Insurance Minister
•  Mr. P. Panayiotopoulos, New Democracy Party spokesman
• Mr. C. Polyzogopoulos, President of the Economic and Social Council of Greece
•  Mr. N. Haritakis, Professor, University of Athens
• Mr. G. Vernikos, Vice President of SETE

Moderator:    Mr. B. Papadimitriou, Journalist

14:30-16.00    Lunch, speaker: Mr. P. Geroulanos, Culture and Tourism Minister

More info: www.seteconferences.gr