Event News

The 23rd Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition held 4-8 June, displayed a positive image of Greece and sent a strong message to the world at large that Greek shipowning remains a strong position despite the downturn in global shipping and economic woes of southern Europe.

Within the framework of London hosting this year’s Olympic Games (27 July-12 August), the Region of the Ionian Islands launched a campaign recently to promote the history, culture and options the island group can offer UK visitors.

Over one million Russian tourists are expected to visit Greece this year, according to predictions made at the Greek Forum 2012 held in Rodos recently. The forum was organized by Russian tourism organization Labirint.

“The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) is a historical organization that today the country needs more than ever,” Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos said during the organization’s 60-year anniversary event held in late March at the Acropolis Museum.

New York City’s Time Square got a taste of Greece last month thanks to an advertising campaign launched by volunteer group “Up Greek Tourism” to promote Greek tourism and attract potential tourists from the U.S.

Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister George Nikitiadis (center) last month attended the second annual
meeting of the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA) Greek-Cypriot Chapter at the Athens Plaza.

Condé Nast Traveller’s publishing director, Simon Leadsford, and associate publisher, Juliette Ottley
(center), gave a presentation recently at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens entitled “Luxury during
an economic recession – Trends, expectations and Greece.”

The president of the Hellenic Chef’s Federation, Miltos Karoubas (left), announced last month that the
federation would head towards the 35th World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Congress in Korea this May and take part in the bidding process for Athens to host the 37th World Congress of WACS in 2016. Greece is up against Turkey and Cape Town.

Athens International Airport (AIA) recently awarded airlines that recorded the highest passenger development in 2011, during the 12th Airline Marketing Workshop organized by the airport at the Athens Concert Hall.

The E-Tourism Seminar Roadshow has announced the city of Thessaloniki as its next stop in a series of practical, affordable and world-class online tourism seminars for Greek tourism professionals.