Greek Tourism News

Giorgos · 8th November 2006, 08:23

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Greece's tourism seen rising 8.0 percent in two years

Tourist arrivals in Greece are expected to rise by about 8.0 percent in 2006, with the same increase seen for 2007, the Institute of Tourism Research and Forecasts said in a report released on Tuesday.

The calculation for 2006 was based on arrivals for September, the institute said in the report entitled Greek Economy and Tourism.

Revenue from tourism in 2006 is forecast to rise by 10 percent to 11 percent.

In 2005, the rate of increase of arrivals was 5.6 percent.

"Without exaggeration, 2005 may be characterized as the starting point for a new and profitable course for tourism and overall economic growth," the institute noted.

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Greece seeks to become all-year tourist destination

Greece is seeking to become an all-year-round tourist destination by adding new itineraries and increasing investments in the sector, local media reported on Monday.

Greece has increased efforts to attract international tourists during low seasons, the Athens News Agency reported, citing Tourism Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, who made the remarks at the World Travel Market in London.

Greece is a favorite destination for international tourists, especially Europeans. But the winters witness few tourists from European countries.

The key to future success of the tourism sector also lay in more investments, Palli-Petralia said.

"Procedures for private investment need to be eased, and we have to solve all the bureaucratic problems more rapidly," she noted.

A major slice of the European Union (EU) funds for 2007-2013 would be utilized to promote travel, tourism, and leisure activities, she said.

A total of 460 domestic and foreign requests for investment in the tourism sector have been raised since April 2005, totaling 917 million euros (1,179 million U.S. dollars), the minister said.

I have always hoped for all year round tourism and finally the government has noticed the need.

Rev · 9th November 2006, 03:01

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Biggest Greek tourism project

By Giorgos Lialios - Kathimerini

The government said yesterday it had approved the environmental effects study for the biggest ever tourism development project in the country.

The 1.2-billion-euro project concerns the construction, on a concession basis, of six tourist villages on 2,500 hectares belonging to the Toplou monastery on the Cavo Sidero peninsula of northeastern Crete.

The development, which will create about 3,000 jobs in the area, is being implemented by the Minoan Group (formerly Loyalward Group) and will basically comprise five hotel complexes, totaling a capacity of 7,000 beds. It will also include three golf courses, a sports center with soccer, basketball and volleyball facilities, and a conference center capable of hosting 1,200 participants.

Minoan’s chief financial officer, Aristos Vassiliadis, told Kathimerini the investment will be implemented in two phases; the approval of the environmental effects study will be followed by approval of the architectural design by the Greek National Tourism Organization and the issuing of the building license. The first of five hotels will open for business 18 months after the commencement of construction work.

According to the concession agreement, which has a duration of 40 years and may be extended for 40 more, the Toplou monastery will receive 10 percent of annual revenue. The concessionaire will construct all necessary infrastructure for the protection of the local environment, such as waste treatment, desalination and recycling plants.

The initial plan, submitted in 1994, met with strong reactions by local interest groups which especially feared the effects of the high water requirements of golf courses on the local environment.

Besides the monastery, the attractions of the locality include the Minoan ruins at Itanos and the famous Vai beach, the site of Europe’s only indigenous palm forest. The site will be a 30-minute drive from the nearest airport, at Siteia.

Good news.

Giorgos · 9th November 2006, 06:03

Brilliant!

skylinearth · 29th November 2006, 11:13

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Greece top destination pick for Austrian tourists
29 Nov 2006 11:09:00

Greece ranks in first place as the number one destination preference for Austrian tourists’ holidays according to data presented by the Austrian National Statistics Service. The number of flights from Austria to Greece for the period January-September increased by 10% in relation to the same period in 2005.

In addition, the largest Austrian tourism organizations report that from the beginning of the year until the end of October, ticket and package sales for Greek destinations increased from 5-20% in relation to last year.

http://www.voiceofgreece.gr/Omogenei...n.asp?ID=22066

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