Trade Associations

The Hellenic Ministry of Transport and Communications (YME) and the Tourism Development Ministry held a joint press conference recently to reveal the process to aesthetically improve peripheral airports in Greece following a memorandum sent to YME by the Association of Tourist Enterprises (SETE) in December 2007.

Tourism Development Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos announced a Greek Tourism Museum would soon be a reality at a recent gala held in honor of women in tourism. The new Tourism Museum—a long-term aim of the Greek Women in Tourism association—would be under the auspices of the tourism development ministry.

The Tourism Development Ministry and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) have joined forces with E! Entertainment—the only 24-hour entertainment channel—and signed a memorandum in a bid to attract the “creative class.”

The leadership of the tourism development ministry announced the closing down of its principal sector for agrotourism activity, Agrotouristiki S.A, which the ministry claims has faced long-term financial and operational programs. The general assembly of Agrotouristiki shareholders officially decided on the liquidation of the company last month.

The Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO) recently held its fourth annual two-day conference on “The Environment, Synergy and Crisis Management in Conference Tourism” at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre, where much emphasis was placed on the launch of the new Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) next month.

The Tourism Development Company (ETA) and the Tourism Development Ministry recently announced the launch of a new advertising campaign for Parnassos Ski Resort following a series of upgrades to the resort’s facilities and services. The new campaign “O Parnassos skizei” (Parnassos rules) has already been launched on the radio and on websites and is anticipated on television spots in due course. The new campaign follows upgrades undertaken by ETA such as the installation of the advanced ticket system “skidata,” improvement and organization of the runs, the refurbishment of “Fterolakkas” chalet, the anti-frost upgrade of the detachable aerial lift “Iraklis” and the application of company identity and image on all sectors of the resort.

Tourism Development Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos recently announced ministry aims, actions and initiatives for 2008. The primary aim, according to Mr. Spiliotopoulos, is “Upgrading the Greek tourism product but most importantly attracting higher quality incoming tourism.”

The tourism development ministry has initiated the process for the creation of tourism studies courses in public higher education facilities. Secretary General of Tourism Spyros Efstathopoulos, under the directive of Tourism Development Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos, has initiated the procedure by which these courses would be held at the University of Piraeus.

The Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourism Services recently hosted an annual event by members of the board and the association’s air matters committee in honor of the airline industry. Representatives from airline companies and distribution companies (CRS) as well as members of tourism and the travel media attended the event.

“Greece, The True Experience” advertising campaign was presented by Tourism Development Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos and advertising company consortium Ashley & Homes and Karamella at a recent event. Ministers, secretary-generals and representatives of local authorities, distinguished members of the tourism sector and the media attended the event.