Germans Are Hesitant To Visit Athens This Year

Athens

The drawn out negative publicity of Athens has affected the Greek capital’s image and Germans appear cautious this year in choosing Athens as a major travel destination, the majority of German travel agents said at this year’s ITB Berlin trade show that was held 6-10 March 2013 at Messe Berlin.

Athens Convention Bureau’s George Angelis manned the Greek capital’s stand at ITB Berlin 2013.

The city of Athens was once again represented at ITB through a joint stand of the Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association and the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency.

According to the German travel agents, although Athens offers value for money as a destination, German tourists fear the “possible discomfort that may occur from strikes and protests.”

However, representatives of specific forms of tourism such as cultural/educational, city breaks, Gay & Lesbian, incentive travel and gastronomy showed an interest in the Greek capital and held meetings with the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency.

“The main conclusion of the meetings and discussions held during this year’s ITB is that Athens is attracting more and more quality interest compared to the corresponding period last year,” the agency said in a press release.