Trade Associations

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

The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels recently expressed its deep concern in regards to government’s 2009 budget that was announced recently.

The Rhodos Hotel Association recently expressed its concern for the upcoming tourism season, not only for the island of Rodos but also for Greece, as its conclusions for this year are not positive.

The Athens-Attica Hotel Association says that the negative international economic situation will have a downbeat impact on tourism in Athens as this year may prove even more difficult than 2004.

The newly established Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCO) recently announced its aim to promote Athens on an international level and include the capital among the top destinations for city and business tourism.

Tourism Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos and the president of the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises, Nikos Aggelopoulos, recently decided to work together on issues in relation to tourist traffic data and marketing strategies.

Because government fails to enact in unison the tourism sector fails to perform at an acceptable level, says the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises.

Prior to an agreement between state tourism officials and the private tourism sector (see page 3), Geece’s tourism ministry expressed its satisfaction with this year’s tourism figures.

The Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCO) recently became an official member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and sealed its role as an official tourism body of the city.

Transport and Communications Minister Costis Hatzidakis recently announced a joint ministerial decree in which Araxos National Airport (45 km west of Patras) becomes an official air gateway to Greece.