X Industry news

Greece is TUI Group’s second holiday country of choice for Europeans, after Spain, according to the holiday bookings made through the travel giant this year.

As the number of tourists visiting Greece grows, so does investor interest, with the car rental sector featuring high on the agenda, according to market reports.

Greece’s investment opportunities are at the center of attention in New York this week during the Greek Investment Roadshow running through to June 22.

A 20-million-euro tourism investment aims to establish Greece as an ideal wellness destination and attract “seasoned” travelers to the Peloponnese.

Thomas Cook expects to send 3 million tourists to Greece this year, up more than one third on two years ago, says the tour operator’s CEO Peter Fankhauser.

The fully renovated and extended Astir Palace in Vouliagmeni, is set to open for business in March 2019, with the seal of approval of the Four Seasons hotel brand.

Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura met with sector professionals in the city of Chania, which in 2020 will host the 10th “Cultural Routes” advisory forum of the Council of Europe.

The dynamic growth of tourism is stimulating investment activity in Greece, according to Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development George Tziallas.

Athens’ economic and artistic revival is featured in an extensive article by The New York Times, which also refers to the city’s rising tourism figures.

Tourism and manufacturing production will continue to drive economic growth rates for Greece, according to an Alpha Bank report for the first four months of 2018.

The airports of Athens, Kefalonia and Corfu recorded double-digit growth in passenger traffic in April, according to a report by ACI Europe.

The privatization of airports is not always the best option, according to IATA, which called on governments to place priority on balancing the interests of consumers, airlines and investors.

Severna Macedonja (North Macedonia) is unofficially the name of the former Yugoslav republic, after the two countries signed an agreement on June 17.

Aiming to make the beach of Glyfada accessible to all, the local authority has once again installed the special SEATRAC mobility ramp for people with disabilities.

The total passenger traffic at Greek ports last year recorded a 7.4 percent increase to some 35.78 million passengers, compared with 2016, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).

In efforts to boost tourism to the Peloponnese, the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) has set aside 100 million euros for the restoration of the Patra – Pyrgos railway link.

During the last three years, tourist arrivals to Halkidiki, northern Greece, have been on a continuous upward trend, according to Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura.

Rhodes International Airport “Diagoras” recently celebrated the inauguration of its refurbished Hellenic Duty Free Shops in the Intra and Extra Schengen areas.

The initiatives “We do Local” and “Greek Breakfast”, which aim to promote Greek gastronomy and culture, have been certified by certification body TÜV Hellas.

Ways to attract higher quality visitors and bring in investments topped the agenda of talks between the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) and EU officials.