World Tourism Day 2013: Message By Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni

Olga Kefalogianni

“This year’s World Tourism Day finds Greek tourism in a dynamic reconstruction phase with significant potential for further growth in the coming years.

Without abandoning the elements that established our presence on the global tourism map, we are strengthening our tourism product and developing actions and initiatives aimed to enrich the level of offered services and quality improvement.

The mass tourism model needs to evolve.

Today, while demands increase and international competition continually grows, we are redefining our tourism product and rapidly proceeding to implement a national strategic plan for the further development of Greek tourism, based on the development of tourism themes.

The first messages are positive.

In 2013, Greek tourism, despite the difficulties and uncertainties of the international financial crisis, exceeded obstacles that existed and recorded highly positive results, confirming expectations that saw tourism as the key factor in the restoration of the Greek economy.

In 2014, it is necessary for us to rapidly specialize the targets we have set and for Greek tourism, with an enhanced character, to become the vehicle of the Greek economy’s development.

This effort is national and the commitment of all forces in the country is needed.

All together we can achieve more.

2014 may be a much better year for Greek tourism, the Greek economy, Greece.”

Olga Kefalogianni
Minister
Greek Tourism Ministry