Georgios A. Tsakiris, President Hellenic Chamber of Hotels

Philoxenia 2012 greeting.

For the past three years, Greece, as a country and as a nation, has been facing the biggest challenges of its modern history. Yet Greece is changing.

Between the serious and major changes taking place in the country, our mentality is also undergoing changes. Unfortunately, the images and news that our country frequently transmits, is often unreasonably stronger than reality itself, while the significant changes that are coming into effect in Greece are ignored.

Regardless of the images, Greece remains a fantastic tourism destination with very unique features, the same features that have established the country as one of the top tourism places worldwide. In 2012, even at the last minute for the season, incoming tourism and financial figures progressed on a satisfying level considering the circumstances. Many people, once again have chosen our country to spend their holidays.

Following the lifting of cabotage restrictions, cruise ships are planning to increase their approaches to the Greek islands. On Rhodes, the installations for a large cruise company to homeport are already operative.

The satisfactory level of visitors to Greece remains very high. The prices of services are highly competitive and fully meet the visitors demand for value for money. The possibilities of leisure, entertainment and relaxation, combined with our cultural heritage, our gastronomy and our country’s natural beauty, is a guarantee to our guests that they will experience a complex and an extremely powerful mosaic of experiences. Greece’s hotel infrastructure is continuously upgraded and we can ensure our guests the necessary comfort for a carefree stay.

Greece, despite the difficulties and problems in the financial sector, tourism-wise remains one of the most important and attractive destinations, offering visitors safety, a huge variety of activities and recreation in an environment of unique beauty enriched with high-class facilities and infrastructure.