Athens to Host ‘ASTA Destination EXPO 2018’

Athens, Greece, will host the “ASTA Destination Expo 2018”, the international conference of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), it was agreed during a recent meeting in New York between Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and ASTA Vice President Robert Duglin. ASTA’s destination expo each year takes place in a different city around the world.

The “ASTA Destination Expo 2018” is expected to contribute greatly to the promotion of Greek tourism, as it will give tourism organizations and travel agencies the opportunity to visit Greece and promote it as a destination in the coming years. More than 80 percent of all travel agency sales are made through ASTA members, according to an announcement by the tourism ministry.

ASTA Vice President Robert Duglin and Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura.

Duglin invited Kountoura to attend the ASTA Global Convention 2017, due to take place in San Diego, California, during August 27-29.

While in New York, the minister met with local tour operators, who underlined that demand for Greek destinations is currently high, while the availability is low for the summer period.

Furthermore, sales of travel packages to Greece for 2018 have already began.

The American Society of Travel Agents is among the world’s largest associations of travel professionals. About 70 percent of its members are American travel agencies, tour operators and companies, while the remaining 30 percent are spread all over the world.