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Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis, guest speaker at the recent general assembly of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, told guests that tourism stands at the forefront of government priorities. “Tourism brings us more revenue than the total of all our country’s exports,” he said. “Tourism gives life, riches and employment to our country’s regions (such as the islands and mountain areas) that lack other productive possibilities.”

The record number visitors to the Greek capital’s annual domestic tourism fair, Tourism Panorama, which was opened this year by Deputy Minister for Tourism Development Anastassios Liaskos, saw sleek presentations by a good number of the country’s regional prefectures.

Minoan Lines announced recently that it managed to more than double its net profit for last year despite a drop in traffic on Adriatic routes and less-than-expected passenger loads on the domestic routes, especially in the summer months during the Athens Olympics period.

Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis recently submitted a proposal before City Council to establish a tourism development agency in collaboration with the private sector, as part of efforts to raise the Greek capital’s profile as a year-round tourism destination.

Instead of the usual everyday tour packages, visitors to the recent Paris world toursim fair, were presented with interesting alternatives to sun and sea travel. Thousands upon thousands of catalogues, brochures and leaflets on country stands promoted “green” tourism, adventure trips, journeys of discovery, original and unusual excursions, and alternative types of packages to well-known destinations.

For the first time in memory, Greece held its head high at a world travel exhibition and showed the world its capabilities. The Greek pavilion, with its avid colors, wide-open spaces, and design continuity, outshone its Mediterranean competitors, not only with its design but also with the record number of visitors.

Panorama celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and to commemorate the event organizers (the Kalofolias group of companies) have upgraded the fair with a new modern logo – still the sun and the sea but with a more modern mood – and have added new sectors to the “international” tourism fair with a “Panorama Tastes” area and with “Escape” accessories exhibitors.

A key element of Greece’s tourist allure, the traditional wooden fishing boats that brighten many an island harbor, is facing a major threat of extinction due to EU policies and government indifference, activists warned last month.

Last month, Louis Hellenic Cruises held an inauguration reception in Piraeus aboard its cruise ship The Emerald. The new cruise company announced the beginning of its cruise program for this year. Company executives say bookings have topped every expectation and that if the trend continues the cruise line will have to place even more new ships on the routes.

For the first time in its history, the Athens/Attica region has successfully initiated a full-fledged tourism promotion campaign. The campaign includes professional-done brochures, all with exceptionally well done, original and excellent advertising creations, and a well-designed and informative Internet site (www.athensattica.com).