Trade Associations

Twelve companies have applied to participate in the Hellenic Tourism Organization’s competition for the promotion of Attica in view of the 2004 Olympic Games. The organization said it was pleased with the strong response.

Tourist enterprises are quite vulnerable to almost any crisis. A series of unfortunate incidents in the past, not to mention last month’s terrorist attack on New York, confirm this fact and mark the need of more efficient management and planning of each enterprise’s communications police and practice.

Plans for new installations at Thessaloniki’s Macedonia airport, budgeted at 100 billion drachmas, are expected to be ready for tender by next year, the Public Works Ministry announced last month. Also planned is the installation of the ILS-II landing system that has been subjected to long delays.

Some six months ago the biggest news circulating within the local travel trade included the merger talks between Amphitrion and the Lambrakis group’s Travel Plan, and the purchase of Manos Travel System by the Vassilakis group (Hertz). Neither deal reached fruition, nor did any of the companies offer reasons as to why or even if talks continue. While insiders are very skeptical, perhaps recent tax legislation will put these deals back on the burner.

The Hellenic Tourism Organization now offers a special Greek cuisine emblem to any eating establishment that adheres to some very strict health, hygiene and quality standards. During a special event held to launch the emblem, the minister explained that today’s tourist wants not only contact with nature and history but also to taste life in the country he or she visits.

Most of the organized beach properties in the Athens region are soon to be leased to the private sector for development and management. So far, 10-year lease agreements have been signed for the beach properties at Alimos and Vouliagmenis between Hellenic Tourism Properties and a construction-company-led consortium called Attikes Aktes. The beach properties at A Voula and B Voula, as well as at Varkiza, were turned over to a group led by Vernicos Yachts.

Three of the Greek capital’s most popular marinas are about to go private.  Last month, just two days after it handed over the operation and upgrading of five state-owned beaches …

Owners of the profitable Parnitha Casino, Hellenic Tourism Properties, have called for bids of interest from international investors interested in taking over the management of the casino on Mount Parnes. So far, some 60 company groups have expressed initial interest.

Between 30 billion and 40 billion drachmas worth of expansion projects are planned for the Afantou area on the island of Rodos. Proposed projects include a 3-lane golf course, a hotel and auxiliary lodgings, commercial units, and a hotel marina.

Kostas Laliotis, environment and public works minister, announced the completion of a 7-year cleanup program for Greek coastlines that cost some 18.7 billion drachmas.