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Recent press reports say that more than 60 private Greek islands are up for sale and have peaked the interest of domestic and foreign investors, and international tourism groups.

Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis and Deputy Sports Minister George Orfanos last month signed an agreement for the construction of a new swimming pool, sports and cultural center for the Athens Rouf area.

The Hellenic Center for Investment announced last month that it is rapidly proceeding with the implementation of three large tourism projects worth 600 million euros in foreign funds – one on Crete, one in Volos and one on the island of Arkoudi in the Ionian Sea. The projects had been blocked by bureaucratic red tape for quite some time.

The majority of visitors to Greece’s museums feel safe and are satisfied with the services offered, however, about half complained about the opening hours, saying that they should be extended, according to a poll made public last month.

Through its OnBoard system, local booking engine company Forthcrs recently enriched its products with the addition of all the rooms and apartments for rent that belong to the Confederation Apartment and Rental Room Enterprises.

The official partner country at the International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin from 8 to 12 March 2006 is to be Greece. The decision was announced by Dr. Martin Buck, director of travel and logistics at Messe Berlin’s Competence Center, and Panagiotis Skordas, director of the Hellenic Tourism Organization.

Alexandros Panagopoulos, president and managing director of Superfast Ferries, told guests at last month’s Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises meeting that unless coastal shipping is liberalized, now, the entire sector would fall into decay.

Government last month announced a 3-billion-euro makeover project for Greek ports. The Merchant Marine Ministry said Greece has secured a loan worth 3 billion euros from the European Investment Bank, but reminds that specialists say that the regeneration project actually demands double that amount.

Stelios Haji-Ioannou, head of easyCruise, says he plans to deploy a cruise ship on a Greek Islands itinerary in the summer of 2006 or 2007, and an Arabian Gulf itinerary on a 2006/2007 winter schedule.

A number of properties of the Tourism Development Company are soon to turned over to private enterprises through long-term leasing agreements, and thus bring some much-needed coins to the state.