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The government says it’s in the process of drawing up plans to improve the picture and operation of ports and airports with a view to bolstering the tourism, Deputy Tourism Development Minister Anastassios Liaskos told a recent international conference on transport and technology and their contribution to the tourism industry.

Ioannis Tzoannos, general secretary for the ministry of merchant marine, told guests during an Athens Business Club 2004 seminar on nautical tourism that he would like to see a close cooperation with the new tourism ministry. In particular he said he would like the simplification and quick implementation of rules for investment and he would like to see a registry for yachts set up. “A registry with simple rules and tax benefits.”

The biggest and what appears to be the best Paralympic Games in history began in style last month as fireworks and illuminations lit up the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony.

The German commandant of forces on Leros in 1943 was among the veterans and dignitaries from Greece and abroad, including Britain, Germany, and Italy, that took part in the first international symposium on the Battle of Leros to be held on the island on the 61th anniversary of the conflict.

Greece has been chosen as the honored country at this year’s World Travel Market, London, November 8-11, which celebrates its silver anniversary. On hand for the fair’s inauguration ceremonies as special guest will be Greece’s tourism development minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos.

This year’s Greek tourism fair Philoxenia, November 4-6, promises to be the biggest and best ever held, says its organizer, Helexpo. The 20th Philoxenia once again will be hosted by Thessaloniki International Fairgrounds.

Rural, conference, exhibition, athletic, religious and cultural tourism are the main ingredients for tourism development, according to speakers at the recent Negroponte Resort Eretria conference on “tourism as the key to strategic development under modern conditions.”

After several years in the doldrums, Hellas Flying Dolphins seems to have pricked the interest of Greece’s major coastal shipping companies. Last month, under its new managing director, Gerasimos Stintzis, HFD announced an agreement whereby it would purchase two new vessels. And press reports abound that the chairman of Attica Enterprises, Pericles Panagopoulos, wants to purchase at least 10% of the Dolphins in an effort to play a pivoting role in major decisions about to be taken by the ferry company.

After years of economic problems, it appears that the ferry operator for the Dodekanissos islands, Dane Sea Lines, is about sink into the realm of memory. Citizens of the island, however, continue to fight for some assistance that would allow the company to continue running. In the meantime, they blame the ferry line’s major shareholder, Anek Lines of Crete for its demise.

Tourism Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos continually emphasizes the importance of changing Greece’s tourism image, and at every press opportunity he stresses the importance of Greek history and culture. Millions of guests during the Athens 2004 Games have had a taste of the best Greece has to offer and they will no doubt spread the word.