Tour Operators & Travel Agencies

Thessaloniki-based Mouzenidis Travel, opened in 1995 by Boris Mouzenidis to specialize in travel to and from Russia, recently opened new offices in downtown Athens.

Amid the rapidly changing social-networking on the Internet, a growing number of travel agents and industry leaders are tapping into new technological “supplements” to reach out to get the attention of on-the-go clients.

A positive atmosphere and lively crowd characterized Monogram Travel’s successful weekend retreat for its staff held in Vrahati, Corinth. “Monogram employees are the key to the company’s success,” said Monogram President Dimitris Spyropoulos.

A new program called Allways Tourism is being developed to improve the quality and services of Greek travel agencies so they can compete more effectively in the international market. The program will focus on continuing education for employees, business development, improving the work environment and reducing regional inequality through information technology (market place, e-learning).

With a new board and a new dynamic strategy, Cel Tours breaks into a new era in its 22-year history. Mary Souli Kafkios, the company’s chairperson and managing director, says it’s time to take off the blinkers and jump into the international marketplace. She began Cel’s repositioning by centralizing all its economic and management functions at its company-owned offices on Solonos Street.

Local incoming tour operator Meridian Travel was purchased recently by the British tour operator First Choice. Julia Laganopoulou, Meridian’s managing director, says there will be no change in the company’s management for the next three years, but that the company will begin expansion plans next year.

After the success of airlines in cutting travel agency commissions, some of Europe’s tour operators have jumped onto the bandwagon and taken the opportunity to cut their commission rates. Presently, analysts say the hotly-debated move of some British Tour operators to cut agent commissions to 7% could very well start a domino effect across Europe and even into the North American market.

Expedia, the world’s largest online travel agency, last month announced a partnership with the United Nations Foundation to promote travel to World Heritage sites. The move is part of Expedia’s strategy to raise its international profile, provide more customized services and offer original content.

Independent tour operator Cosmorama, based in downtown Athens, was recently appointed exclusive sub-agent in Greece for Holland America Line.

Greek travel agents soon will no longer be able to issue passports to customers. As of this coming January, Greeks will have to visit one of the 90 new centers being set up around the country where they can obtain or renew their passports, government announced last month. The new offices, as part of a drive to tighten security, will be set up under the auspices of the police.