HATTA Participates In School Tourism Initiative

“The international and Greek student community is a huge ‘reservoir’ from which Greek regions could draw visitors from throughout the academic year,” Yiorgos Telonis, president of Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies (HATTA), said during the announcement of the new institutional and developmental framework of school trips.

HATTA’s President Yiorgos Telonis, Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs Minister Anna Diamantopoulou and Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister George Nikitiadis sign a memorandum-cooperation agreement during a press conference at the Education Ministry. The three sides will cooperate to motivate Greek students to organize school trips in their country and also promote Greece as a student destination to schools abroad.

The new institutional framework for school trips is a joint initiative of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs Ministry, the Culture and Tourism Ministry and HATTA for the development of incoming tourism and the promotion of Greece as a destination for school trips to Greek schools and schools of abroad in cooperation with Greek regions and municipalities.

The initiative aims to upgrade the educational and entertaining nature of school trips, support Greece’s  tourism industry and shield the legitimate organization of school trips through travel agencies.

According to Mr. Telonis, the development of school trips would contribute decisively to the extension of the Greek tourism season as schools always travel during off-season.

In regards to the Greek schools and the new ministerial decision, HATTA’s main aim is to reinforce the legal pattern of school trips and ensure transparency at all stages and the safety of students.

HATTA will undertake an information campaign in the Greek regions to inform all professionals, schools, travel agencies, local governments and local communities in regards to the new institutional framework but also for specific initiatives to be taken for the development of school tourism.

The association said that its Internet site would soon be enriched with relevant information.