Issue 10
15/10/2011
GREEK TRAVEL BUSINESS NEWS

Greek Chairmanship @ UNWTO Commission for Europe

Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos was elected Chairman of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Commission for Europe, during the 19th session of UNWTO General Assembly held in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea from October 8 to 14. Thanking WTO members for his election, Yeroulanos cited the priorities and targets to be set by the Greek chairmanship for the next two years, particularly in the development of tourism within the European Union.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Yeroulanos signed a cooperation agreement in the tourism sector with his Belarus counterpart Oleg Kachan and had a meeting with Korean Tourism, Sports and Culture Minister Choe Kwang Shik, and discussed prospects for further cooperation between the two countries. Yeroulanos travelled to United Arab Emirates (October 10) to attend the World Economic Forum Summit on the Global Agenda 2011, which took place in Abu Dhabi on October 10 - 11.

GNTO & SEGAS Athletics League Combine Forces

The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) and the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS as it is known by its Greek acronym) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aiming at creating a synergy between the two entities for the best possible promotion of Greek tourism.

GNTO Secretary-General George Koletsos said that this cooperation at all levels will combine big sporting events with the promotion of Greek metropolises as city-break destinations (Athens, Thessaloniki, etc). Citing a well-known example, Koletsos said "the organization of the Athens Classic Marathon (13.11.2011) is a 'mega-event' which we promote abroad in order to attract visitors by developing athletic tourism as well as highlighting Athens as a city-break destination, thus generating travel revenues during a low season." Apart from being a unique historic sporting event the Athens Classic Marathon, is also a powerful pillar of tourism development for the Attica region and throughout the country, off-season.

Tourist Arrivals Up in September

Tourist arrivals in Greece recorded a double digit rise in the first month of autumn and while this year's tourism season nears its end, the tourism sector continues to be the most productive sector of the economy, it was announced on October 3.

International arrivals and revenues recorded a 10% increase, contributing to more than 17% of the GDP and 20% of employment.

Meanwhile, in view of the 10th Conference on Tourism and Growth to be held on October 31, Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos presented the government's strategy (in Greek) for tourism during the decade 2011-2021 in a meeting with the SETE Board of Directors on October 3. Yeroulanos said that the aim is for Greece to be included within the top 10 tourism destinations in the world.

Travel Revenues Increase

Travel revenues grew by 16.9% in July this year, compared with the same period in 2010, for an increase of 14.2% in the January-July period, the Bank of Greece said in a report (28.9.2011, in Greek).

The bank attributes this positive development to higher revenues from citizens from countries outside the EU-27 (29.3%) to €1.87 billion, while revenues from EU-27 countries totalled €3.593 billion in the January-July period, up 7.7% form last year. Revenues from Germany rose 7.4%, while revenues from the UK fell 3.6%. Revenues from Russia jumped 80.2%.

EDEN Award Goes to Delphi

The municipality of Delphi received the 2011 EDEN award as top sustainable tourism destination in Greece.

The European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) is a project promoting sustainable tourism across the European Union and each year it is centred on a particular theme, chosen by the European Commission together with the relevant national tourism bodies.

This year's theme was Tourism and Regeneration of Physical Sites and the Municipality of Delphi topped the list for the regeneration project of Harmena neighbourhood in Amfissa. The traditional neighbourhood of Harmena was known as the "home of tanners" (tambakika in Greek) as for many centuries it was the place where leather-dressing was taking place.

The Municipality of Delphi along with the winners from the other participating counties were honoured at a special ceremony hosted by the European Commission on September 27, 2011.

3rd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art

The 3rd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art, titled Old Intersections-Make it New (opened on September 18) is taking place until December 18, at various venues in Thessaloniki. It is the first joint venture of the 5 Museums' Movement in Thessaloniki(5M), an initiative that includes the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, the Teloglion Foundation of Art and the State Museum of Contemporary Art which is leading the project.

Focused on the Mediterranean region, its cultures and people, viewed through a contemporary visual outlook, this year's programme consists of a main programme as well as parallel events including exhibitions, an international young artists' workshop, a performance festival, a symposium and a variety of artistic events. The Biennale is also part of the Thessaloniki: Cultural Crossroads programme of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which focuses on the Middle East this year.

British X-Factor on Mykonos

The crew and contestants of British television show X-Factor visited the island of Mykonos (September 13 – 17) in order to produce 2 episodes (30 minutes each) which aired on UK ITV on October 1 and 2. There are 32 contestants singing for survival at the "judges' houses" around the world, and one of them, Tulisa Contostavlos, is of Greek origin. Booking inquiries for the island Mykonos rose 433% after it was on the X-Factor. While this year's judges and their locations have proved popular, Tulisa's trip to Mykonos led to the most impressive rise in interest for flights since the shows aired.

Joanna Lumley's Greek Odyssey Premieres

British online Express.co.uk published an article titled "It's All Greek to Joanna Lumley" (9.19.2011) by David Stephenson, who describes Lumley's show as "a very enjoyable new series," Joanna Lumley's Greek Odyssey, which premieres October 13.

The show's production crew filmed on Crete, Chios, Patmos, Kos and Spetses and Corfu islands, as well as in the regions of Evros, Kavala, Serres, Xanthi, Drama and Rodopi. The TV show looks for authentic places all over the world to present their beauty. This production will be broadcast to 30 million people worldwide.

Australia's Gourmet Traveller: the Big Fat Greek Issue

Australian magazine Gourmet Traveller is devoting its latest issue (October 2011) to Greece.
Titled "Big Fat Greek Issue," the magazine offers its readers a variety of subjects. Topics include travel tips as well as a presentation of main Greek landmarks, a whole host of Greek recipes, an article by Max Allen on Greek wine, an article by George Calombaris on Athens's culinary heart and soul, from traditional tavernas and delicatessens to the hottest new dining stars.

IN BRIEF

  • Spanish portal Expreso – offering the latest news on trips and tourism - published an article (7.10.2011) titled "Amorgos: Culture and Nature in the easternmost of the Cyclades" (Amorgos: cultura y naturaleza en la mas oriental de las Cicladas). Writer Manolo Bustabad Rapa soaks in traditions customs of the islanders, their music and cuisine.

  • Deputy Culture & Tourism Minister George Nikitiadis and Polish Tourism Ministry Undersecretary of State Katarzyna Sobierajska signed an agreement (6.10.2011) laying the foundation for the further development of tourist cooperation between Greece and Poland and the strengthening of the relations between the two countries. The agreement aims at increasing arrivals and encouraging cooperation between private businesses and agencies.

  • Eleven Chinese couples exchanged vows (5.10.2011) in Thira (or Fira) of Santorini during an impressive ceremony, where their friends and relatives gathered. They celebrated with local music and danced syrto, ballos and sirtaki. Watch the video here.

  • Austrian newspaper Kurier published an article titled "Tourists: Loyal, but (they) Spend Less" (Touristen: Treu, aber weniger spendabel, 4.10.2011) by Simone Hoepke, who writes that despite protests in Athens, tourism in Greece is up to 12% for the first 8 months of 2011, compared to the same period last year. Moreover, tourism from Germany grew by 10% this year. But despite the rise in tourism, visitors spend less in Greece.

  • The September-October issue of in-flight Magazine Skylines - on Austrian Airlines and its daughter company Lauda Air – features the island of Rhodes in a 3-page article (pp. 36 – 38): "The island not only has beaches and sea, but it also overflowing with culture and history".

  • British Travel Channel – which airs in 117 countries and in 19 languages – has produced a series titled Flavours of Greece. Its host Charlie Ottley journeys throughout the country to many of the famous islands, while indulging in a truly comprehensive investigation of the flavours of Greece. Alongside the fantastic wine and food, he packs in as much adventure as possible: from the better known highlights of a visit to the famous Acropolis museum in Athens or a gruelling trek up Mt Olympus, he also samples some skiing, and attempts a bit of sponge diving in Kalymnos. While rounding off his trip with some carnival celebrations in Patras and a relaxing sail around the Ionian Islands, Charlie allows viewers worldwide to share in Greek food, scenery and lifestyle. The first episode aired on September 19, and 6 more shows (30 minutes each) will air until the end of October.