Olga Kefalogianni, Tourism Minister

Philoxenia 2014 greeting.

Greek tourism is constantly developing.

Following a significantly successful course recorded in the last two years, Greece has returned dynamically to the forefront of the world tourism stage.

The results, in terms of arrivals as well as with regards to revenue from tourism, justify our choices.

With a set of institutional interventions, we have broadened the field of offered services, improved quality and enhanced the competitiveness of our tourism product.

Now, the next main goal for Greek tourism to achieve, is to extend the tourism season.

For Greece, the aim of the implemented tourism policy is to establish itself as a 12-month destination.

In order to achieve this goal, we are promoting themes within tourism. Their development will contribute to better allocate the demand and boost arrivals during the low season. At the same time, new destinations will be highlighted and city tourism will be supported, which is also one of our aims.

Through all these interventions, we are improving the quality and at the same time we are enriching the identity of our national tourism product. And this will establish, among other things, an investment-friendly environment that can be exploited by the private sector.

But, the renaissance of Greek tourism also creates great responsibility.

Not only to the state but to all parties involved. It increases our responsibility towards our visitors, who are in fact the most powerful ambassadors of our country’s image abroad.

For this reason, it is our duty to change everything that might cultivate negative impressions of Greece.

To stamp out anything that could reduce the glamor of our country as a tourism destination.

The Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization are firmly implementing their coordinated efforts for the further development of Greek tourism.

In this effort we need the support of the private sector and of the country’s prefectures and municipalities.