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Greece is among the most classic of national tourism destinations. Tourism is a major economic activity and contributes to financial growth, regional employment and the redistribution of natural wealth more than any other productive activity.

Philoxenia, just as all of the world’s tourism exhibitions and shows, consists of a very important tool for professionals in tourism. It allows trade professionals from all over the world to meet, discuss and to get to know each other, yet, at the same time, this exhibition creates an ideal environment for the creation of new partnerships.

With the close of the century, tourism has become the world’s biggest industry. No other sector of the economy can replace it because except for the fact that it drives all other sectors of the economy, tourism investments have immediate results. Tourism also creates jobs and brings the national economy precious foreign exchange.

After some very difficult years, we have finally seen some light at the end of the tunnel, and next year looks like it may be a good year. Nonetheless, the past has shown how important it is for Greece to introduce the ‘satellite accounts’ method for tourism statistics. This would give us the opportunity to accurately imprint the overall contribution of tourism to the national economy and to compare the annual arrival and monetary variations from every geographical region, all of which is vital in tourism planning.

Late last month the new board of directors for the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) met under the presidency of the tourism minister who spoke on the future aims of his ministry and the importance of the tourism organization in implementing the country’s tourism policy.

Tourism is not only our major sector for economic development, but it is also a sector with major social benefits. Our new tourism strategy, which we intend to implement shortly, covers all of Greece and has year-round tourism as its main aim with an emphasis given to alternate forms of tourism so as to add value to the Greek tourism product.

Greece boasts one of the richest ecosystems in Europe, boasts 40 centuries of cultural heritage and is a safe and friendly destination for all tourists. With the latter in mind, our basic aim is the quality improvement of our tourism product along with the development of sustainable tourism. Within the framework of our 10-year tourism development strategy, our major aims are to differentiate and enrich our tourism product, to take advantage of the post-Olympic Games period, and to open new markets.

With the successful organization of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, we have entered a new era where Greece, and the Greek tourism sector in particular, has had the red carpet of opportunity laid before it. The Games have strengthened our image abroad and once more Greece has gained the reputation of being an ideal tourism destination.

Greek tourism showed a serious decline in 2004, with arrivals dropping from 6-8% in almost all destinations, with the exception of Athens. If we consider revenues, we estimate that the decrease is even higher, taking into account lower prices and special offers made by all suppliers (hoteliers, travel agents, etc.).

As promised, the new government has created a Greek tourism ministry. The newly appointed minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos, and his deputy, Anastassios Liaskos, for the moment are the “guests” of Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas until appropriate tourism ministry offices are found.