Tasos Tzikas, President TIF-HELEXPO

Philoxenia 2014 greeting.

Tourism is a valuable treasure for our country.

It is a locomotive that can boost the Greek economy, especially at a time when the need for improvement is imperative. Greece must invest in its infrastructure and the training of the people who are part of its tourism industry, so it can take advantage of this “asset,” which attracts travelers from all over the world, despite any problems it may face.

However, Greek tourism is not only sun and sea.

In a country blessed by nature with its mountains, rivers, history and religious traditions, Greece’s alternative forms of tourism are gaining ground.

Religious-pilgrimage, thermal and agritourism are only a few of the alternative forms of tourism that can be developed to attract new types of tourists, high-end visitors, to our country.

Right now, tourism is the strongest industry in Greece and it is paving the way for the Greek economy.

This being the case, Philoxenia plays a fundamental role as a catalyst for TIF-HELEXPO and makes it a focal point for the sector’s professionals and all Greek destinations to come together.

The latest developments, the new requirements and the obstacles that need to be surpassed, as well as their proposed solutions, will all be featured in this “tourism panorama” known as Philoxenia, which every year becomes a valuable tool for the professionals of the sector.

This year’s 30th exhibition aims to show the latest of the Greek tourism industry and the international tourism sector, while it will host foreign professionals from targeted destinations, creating an environment for professional cooperations and agreements. Hotelia, an exhibition for the hotel infrastructure of the country, will be organized alongside Philoxenia and is expected to be quite interesting.

Tourism must become our country’s “flag” abroad and this is the direction the national exhibition organizer is taking, making an effort to contribute with its own strength, experience and know-how.