Konstantina Bei

Fmr Secretary General,
Culture and Tourism Ministry

PHILOXENIA 2011 greeting.

It is true that the 27th Philoxenia is organized during a rather difficult time for the country. The year soon to end was a year during which Greece was economically shaken.

However, tourism was a sector less affected compared to others. In fact there was an important increase in international arrivals and revenue as to previous years.

This fact confirms the viewpoint that tourism is perhaps the only sector of the Greek economy, which, even in today’s climate of economic insecurity, manages to bring some revenue and show some development.

The Greek values, the provided services, the natural resources of unique beauty and the authentic experiences that Greece offers as a destination still attract visitors, who have never stopped showing trust on us.

Our intention, our commitment is that today’s dynamics of the sector should be used as a starting point for further support by the State and further development. In any case, it does not constitute a reason to relax. Our aim is to practically support the sector that is in a process of recovery, despite all the economic difficulties; to create the conditions that will attract more investment for tourism infrastructure and increase the number of tourists coming from the “traditional” markets as well as from new markets.

I believe that together the State and the private sector in tourism stand a chance to place the country on the tourism map again, by turning the crisis into an opportunity.

Finally, I would like to wish all the success to those participating in Philoxenia 2011, as well as to those who work hard and share a common vision: to make Greece the tourism destination it deserves to be.