MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions)

“Greece does not have tourism… It is very expensive… Greece gains nothing from staying in the Euro,” were just some of the comments made by leading economist and president of the Ifo Institute in Munich, Dr. Hans-Werner Sinn, during his presentation on global economic developments on the first day of the ITB Berlin Convention last month. The presentation was attended by a massive audience of tourism professionals.

“Posidonia will highlight the contribution the Greek shipping industry makes to Greece’s economy, which, in these challenging times, is now more important than ever,” Themistocles Vokos, Chairman of Posidonia Fairs said recently.

The oversupply of capacity, the large number of ships under construction, the decline in traffic
and the significant decrease of banks funding shipping activities will be just some of the drawbacks shipping companies will face this year, according to the World Shipping Congress held in late February at the Divani Apollon Palace in Kavouri.

Over 2,200 more trade visitors than last year and an outstanding climate for business was among the
positive conclusions made at this year’s ITB.

The Greek tourism leadership was up against a complex task at the 46th ITB Berlin travel trade show last month while restoring Greece’s reputation as a top and safe destination. Tourism officials were obliged to make a great effort to reverse the negative climate that currently stands in the German market and promote Greece as a destination that is friendly to Germans.

Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos cuts the inauguration ribbon of the 7th HO.RE.CA. show in the presence of prominent personalities from the Greek food service and hospitality sectors.

“It doesn’t take much to see that this is not the time for politicians but the time for entrepreneurs and professionals… Last year was a really great year and hopefully the same will happen in 2012,” Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos said during the inauguration ceremony of the 7th International Hotel, Restaurant and Cafe Show HO.RE.CA. held 4-7 February at the Athens Metropolitan Expo.

Santorini, Chalkidiki, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Paros, Folegandros, Crete and Andros were introduced last month as destinations with ideal hotels for gay and lesbian tourists at this year’s international tourism trade fair FITUR, held in Madrid, Spain.

“The socio-political events and the effects of the economic crisis that has plagued our country and its citizens, has transformed Greece into an undesirable destination that frightens organizers, sponsors and conference delegates and presents Greek professionals as unreliable and insolvent,” Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO) President Dinos Astras stressed last month during his opening speech at the association’s 7th Pan-Hellenic Conference.

The Greek tourism sector may have been somewhat reluctant in participating in the 27th Philoxenia International Tourism Exhibition due to the country’s financial crisis but according to Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister George Nikitiadis, 2011 could be easily labeled as a “record year” for Greek tourism.