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Within the new liberalized framework of Greek coastal shipping, Strintzis Lines (Blue Star Ferries), expands its routes. As of this month, the Greek ferry line is at the forefront with three brand new ships on the Cycladic Islands’ routes, the Blue Star 1 in the Dodecanese on the Piraeus-Rodos route and its Blue Star 2 on the new, fast daily connection between Piraeus and Chania, Crete.

Greece’s first tourism submarine service was inaugurated last month by Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis at the Peace and Friendship Stadium’s wharf area. The Atlantis Santorini I, which dives to a depth of 25-30 meters, will explore the undersea area of Santorini’s Caldera. The vessel comfortably hosts 28 passengers and two crewmembers.

Sportius Hospitality, the first Greek company to specialize in sports tourism, said during a recent presentation that it aims to be the biggest organization here to provide accommodation during next year’s Olympics. Company executives said they would have 5,500 rooms and cruise-ship cabins available on a daily basis.

Greek Tourism Enterprises Association President Stavros Andreadis told delegates at the opening of last month’s Tourism and Development Conference, which was organized by the association, that much more money must be spent on the promotion of Greece abroad. He suggested that all the profits from Hellenic Tourism Properties, instead of just those from the casinos, go directly to advertising and promotion. He tied this to the long-time proposal of the association for the creation of a body, led by the private and public sector, to manage and execute an annual tourism advertising and promotional campaign. If we make the proper changes and work together to create strong products, said Mr. Andreadis, Greece in 10 years’ time could become a worldwide “dream destination.”

Greece’s domestic travel fair, Tourism Panorama, runs this year from March 28-31 at the Piraeus Port Authority exhibition center. At a recent press conference, the fair’s organizer, the Kalofolias Group, said even though we are experiencing difficult times for tourism, the interest by tourism enterprises in this year’s fair surpasses every other and is above our initial expectations.

In cooperation with the development, interior and culture ministries, as well as regional authorities, Hellenic Tourism Properties signed an agreement with a private-sector firm to carry out quality renovation works at Greece’s five main in-land border points: Evzones, Promahona, Kipon, Kakavias and Nikis. The projects, worth more than six million euros, begin this month and are scheduled for completion before the end of this year. The lion’s share of the budget, 44%, goes to renovation works at Greece’s busiest in-land border point, the Evzones. Works here are expected to be completed this September.

Greece’s top back-office software provider for Greek travel agents, Solid Soft International, recently launched a series of expansion moves. These initiatives could place the company within an enviable position in the years to come.

One by one, Greece’s major archaeological museums are closing down for refurbishment ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games. The fear expressed by Greece’s travel professionals is that this simultaneous rush will leave many visitors over the next year and one-half standing enraged outside closed doors.

The world’s leading tourism exchange, International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin, remains the industry’s number one fair and Greek participation this year again will be substantial.

State-owned Hellenic Tourism Properties last month signed a concession agreement that grants operation rights for the Flisvos Marina facility on the Athens coast to the Lamda Technol consortium.