Marios Trivizas, President General Pan-Hellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises (GEPOET)

Philoxenia 2012 greeting.

The international exhibition of Philoxenia is held during the hardest times for our country, our people and of course Greek tourism.

Despite the unprecedented crisis, the 28th Philoxenia stands as a major tourism Forum.

It remains the annual meeting place for all tourism enterprises with plans for the year to come already up and running.

GEPOET, the secondary collective body of Travel Agencies & Coaches of the country, would like to thank all participants for taking part and express its gratitude to GTP for keeping the strong bonding among the members of the tourism sector.

2012 highlighted the need for new tourism markets in the Balkans, Central-East Europe in general.

The BRIC countries will be the key of tourism policy in the years to follow and we must seize this valuable opportunity.

Traditional markets with high per capita expenditure, like US, Canada, Australia must be approached with a new strategic plan if we want to get the most out of them.

Tourism will play a significant role in Greece’s economic sustainability and diminishing of the country’s debt.

For 2013, we must take a step further and make all the decisive global moves necessary to raise tourist arrivals and earnings in Greece.

We wish for a profitable and good season to all.