Trade Associations

The Attica Hoteliers’ Association announced last month that for the month of November overnights were up when compared with the same month the year before.

Last month, Greek President of the Republic Carlos Papoulias signed a presidential decree that stipulates the technical specifications required to create and operate a professional race track in Greece.

Last month, the tourism ministry’s contracted strategic advisor, a group of three companies: PRC Group, MRB Hellas and THR Asesores en Turismo, Hoteliera y Recreacion S.A., presented marketing plans in the first of three working meetings.

Athens hotels had an increased occupancy rate for the month of October 2006, as well as for the first ten months of last year, while the prices remained about the same, according to the Attica Hoteliers’ Association (EXA).

The use of solar energy, water resources with the implementation of new technology, as well as the design of buildings that host tourism facilities that take advantage of renewable sources of energy lead to a reduction in operating costs, improvement of the commercial image of the tourism business, contribute to the protection of the environment and are an example for the local communities.

Last month, the Greek Minister of Tourism Fanny Palli-Petralia and her Turkish counterpart, Attila Koc, signed a memorandum on tourism cooperation. The agreement signed on Ms Palli-Petralia’s second visit to Turkey will make travel between the two countries easier, encourage private initiatives, create new coastal shipping routes, strengthen air connections and allow for cooperation in marine tourism.

Last month, the official opening ceremony for the Greek chapter of the Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE) was held. Brenda Anderson, CEO of SITE International, and Carolyn Dow, executive director of SITE Europe and past SITE President, attended the opening and signed the document for the chapter’s founding with Tassos Pappas, president of the Greek chapter.

Hellenic Hotel Chamber President Gerasimos Fokas and Technical Chamber of Greece President Yiannis Alavanos signed a memorandum of agreement on seven critical issues that concern both the hotel and technical sector.

Last month, Greece signed tourism agreements with Moldova and Russia. The agreement with Moldova is intended to promote cooperation in tourism, facilitate tourism arrivals in keeping with each country’s laws and regulations, encourage tourism investment, establish tourism information offices, and share data and information on the tourism industry, and know-how among tourism organizations and research centers.

Last month, the tourism ministry signed a contract for Greece’s first strategic advisor for tourism, a group of three companies PRC Group, MRB Hellas and THR Asesores en Turismo, Hoteliera y Recreacion S.A.