SETE Sends Message Ahead Of World Tourism Day

Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE)

17 million international arrivals, 11 billion euros of direct revenue and 40,000 new employment positions must be the goals of Greek tourism in 2013. If these goals are achieved, tourism will add 1.5 percent to the country’s GDP, raising the contribution of tourism to GDP above 16 percent and this way creating more favorable conditions for the recovery of the Greek economy.

World Tourism Day (27 September) gives a good opportunity for reporting on the current year and planning for the next. Greek tourism has demonstrated once again high resilience in a highly negative environment. For 2012, all figures so far show that the targets of 16 million international arrivals and 10 billion euros in direct revenue will be achieved. In terms of employment, tourism is maybe the only sector of the Greek economy that did not record losses in the last two years.

The statement of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Secretary-General Taleb Rifai that “investments in Greek tourism, under certain conditions, are investments between oil and gold mines” is indicative of Greek tourism’s possibilities, as they are perceived on an international level.

The above-mentioned goals for 2013 are realistic, under certain necessary conditions:
– the successful outcome of the negotiations and ensuring the country’s place in the eurozone,
– the rapid promotion of structural changes,
– the upgrading of the country’s image abroad, while continuously improving the price/quality ratio of the Greek tourism product.

Towards this direction, the positive efforts made by the coalition Government and the Prime Minister are highlighted. With an increased government interest, an independent and reorganized Tourism Ministry, the public and private sectors should cooperate and join forces in order to effectively implement the strategic development plan of Greek tourism.

Note: SETE’s press release is signed by all Greek tourism industry associations – SETE members: Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers, Hellenic Federation of Rented Rooms & Apartments (SEEDDE), Greek Shipowners Association For Passenger Ships (SEEN), SEPOA (association of restaurateurs), Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO), Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies (HATTA), Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association, Greek Car Rental Companies Association (STEEA), General Pan-Hellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises (GEPOET), Union of Greek Airline Companies (EEAE), Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), Association of Greek Exhibition and Conference Organisers, Hellenic Association of Airline Representatives (SAAE) and Greek Marinas Association.