SETE Gives Positive Messages For Greek 2013 Tourism

Andreas Andreadis, president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), while addressing Greek journalists during the association’s media briefing held today in Athens.

Early bookings to Greece from the UK and Germany for next year’s tourism season are up some 20 percent while competing countries such as Turkey and Spain are on the same levels as last year, the president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), Andreas Andreadis, said on Friday, 21 December, while addressing Greek journalists at a media briefing.

However, Mr. Andreadis reminded that the early bookings are signs of Greek tourism’s “recovery” from last year’s losses caused by the political uncertainty in the country. (Greece’s two national elections in May and June had raised concern worldwide if Greece would remain in eurozone. Therefore, the country’s tourism industry paid the price as visitors opted for other destinations.)

According to SETE’s president, the rising trend in bookings may lead to arrivals surpassing 17 million next season and, according to estimates, one billion euros in revenue.

Speaking in regards to the economic situation in Greece, Mr. Andreadis said after five years of deep recession and rising unemployment, the Greek Government needs to create the necessary conditions for the country to return to positive economic growth.

SETE called for a national development plan for Greece in 2013 that would include a stable fiscal framework for the next five years, fixed tax rates and the reduction of the VAT rate on catering services and travel packages.

Marketing Greece
Mr. Andreadis made special reference to the marketing company for Greek tourism “Marketing Greece” that will soon be launched to professionalize the country’s tourism promotion on a global scale.

According to SETE’s president, Marketing Greece will launch once the company’s business plan is finalized by McKinsey & Company consulting firm.

The company’s main objective will be to promote Greek tourism through partnerships with tourism stakeholders of the public and private sector to attract additional international visitors from specific target markets.

The company will form a public relations network and initially target markets such as Russia, the US, the UK, Germany, and France.

A protocol of cooperation is soon to be signed between the company and the Greek Tourism Ministry and the Greek National Tourism Organization and then ratified by the Greek Parliament.

Investment Roadshow
SETE’s president explained that in order for Marketing Greece to get off the ground and proceed with necessary investments for the promotion of Greek tourism, funds are required (a minimum share capital of 1.2 million euros is required).

For this reason, an investment roadshow will kick off in January 2013 throughout Greece to present the company’s objectives, key aspects of the business plan and main activities to entrepreneurs of the private sector.

The “Marketing Greece” Roadshow will visit Athens (15 January 2013), Thessaloniki (17 January), Rodos (18 January), Crete (Heraklion and Chania, 21 January) and Kerkyra (22 January).

The shareholders of Marketing Greece are SETE, the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels and the Hellenic Association of Communications Agencies (EDEE).