MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions)

The privatization process of regional airports was presented last month during the seventh “Aviation: Present and Future” conference held at the Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Ministry in Athens.

A 30-percent-drop forecast for bookings was made last month for this tourism season by Greek tourism professionals, during a workshop held by Germany’s leading travel industry media group FVW Mediengruppe in Athens.

Athens was selected to host the 37th World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Congress in May 2016. This will be the first time the international congress will be held in a European city.

European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani recently underlined the importance of providing support to small and medium-sized Greek enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector.

Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister George Nikitiadis and Reverend Dodonis Chrysostomos cut the inauguration ribbon of NEXUS, the 1st International Alternative Tourism Exhibition, held 29 March-1 April at the Mediterranean Exhibition Centre (MEC) in Paiania.

Tourism professionals from the Black Sea Member States will gain first hand insights and knowledge on the most representative and innovative Peloponnese tourism products and have the opportunity to hold meetings with selected Greek regional tourism providers at the “ARGO II Black Sea Tourism Forum & Travel Trade Workshop” on 3-4 May in Nafplio, Peloponnese.

“The commission is looking into the issue of long waiting lines to obtain a visa, but also member states do not put their money where their mouths are as they should include more staff in consulates,” argued Diederik Paalman, deputy head of the visa policy unit of the European Commission, at an international conference held recently in Athens.

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.

The Athens Development and Destination Management Agency recently presented the Athens Convention Bureau’s (ACB) new action plan and membership package for 2012-2013 and invited Greek enterprises involved directly or indirectly with conference tourism to join the program.

Germany’s leading travel industry media group FVW Mediengruppe will hold its annual workshop in Athens next month and give Greek hoteliers the opportunity to discuss strategies to strengthen the tourism demand from Germany to Greece, the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels announced last month.