People

The course of Greece’s tourism figures and those of our competitors during 2009 simply confirms the estimates expressed by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels and the Research Institute for Tourism and Forecasts (ITEP), once the global economic crisis began to appear.

Tourism is the vital part of our economy and our national social status. It is the sector with the greatest prospects of development and therefore a unique opportunity for our generation.

The 25th International Tourism Exhibition Philoxenia finds Greek tourism at the starting point of a redevelopment path, which aims to maximize the benefits of the industry and the national economy.

Danae Airlines, GSA for Korean Air since 1976, recently said goodbye to its agency manager, Katia Charokopou, due to retirement.

The new Alitalia has launched 10 daily direct flights from Greece to Rome, Milan and Naples and comfortable connections to further 22 Italian destinations and 47 European and worldwide cities.

The newly established Association of Tourism Agencies of Western Greece in Patra recently formed its board of directors.

For many decades now, Greece has been a tourist country par excellence, famed for its countless natural beauties and its cultural wealth. With unique landscapes, history and monuments, traditional settlements, customs, local products and traditions, our country, beyond any doubt, holds a great comparative advantage in the global tourist market.

From the beginning of the year until now Greek tourism has shown resistance. I will not get tired of constantly repeating what Tourism Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos has observed from the start. That 2008 was not a usual year.

The present tourism year, which is coming to an end, was not an easy year. The oil crisis and the international economic downturn have already affected and are expected to continue to plague global tourism travel.

What do we expect from Philoxenia? For some of us it is necessary to be there every year. For some it is a hope to do business, and for others it is an obligation to meet the budget of the institution they represent. But Philoxenia has as the objective and basic message: “upgrade tourism.”