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If Greece wants to increase its number of incoming tourists, the country must concentrate on upgrading its 38 airports – in particular the 15 that accept international air passenger traffic – increase air links, and airports and airlines must work more closely to create a better and more seamless product for passengers.

Although some travel professionals were a bit leery about attending last month’s Tourist Panorama travel and tourism fair, the end result eliminated any fears they may have had. The 350-plus exhibitor stands were well spaced and with plenty of breathing room, and most all had constructed an attractive presentation.

Tourism Development Minister Fanni Palli-Petralia praised the efforts of locals, crew members and government agencies on the evacuation of but two of the 1,156 cruise passengers aboard the Sea Diamond that sank off Santorini last month.

With numerous successes under its belt in organizing various boat races, the island of Corfu on June 16 once again takes on the task of organizing and presenting the Panhellenic Inflatable Boat Races.

Bids by five companies/consortiums to enter the final phase of the tender for the Aghios Kosmas Marina were opened last month at the office of state-owned Olympic Properties. The best offer tabled in the tender, according to press reports, includes an offer to lease the property for an annual fee of 14.3 million euros. The lease is set for a period of 45 years.

Greece’s many advantages in the area of marine tourism have not been taken advantage of, nor used to their full potential, according to Antonis Stelliatos, the newly elected president of the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association.

Visa facilitation and readmission agreements between the European Commission and three Balkan countries-Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro – was initialized last month.

Travel agents that wish to belong to the Dutch Association of Travel Agents must adhere to a specific quality guarantee system, and the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourism Association intends to implement a similar system in Greece.

German bookings data for holidays in Greece so far this year give a mixed picture, officials said at last month’s ITB international travel show in Berlin, one of the world’s largest.

Athens must be highlighted as a tourism destination in itself and not just a transit center for visitors to other parts of the country, Tourism Development Minister Fanni Palli-Petralia and Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis agreed last month during a meeting held at the minister’s offices.