Greece: a change of direction?

The Greek Government is taking action to improve its ‘underperforming’ tourism market.

In its recent special report on the travel and tourism economy in Greece, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) took specific time out to praise the previous Minister of Tourism, Fanny Palli-Petralia, for bringing strong leadership and sound strategy to Greece’s previously under performing tourism market.

A spokesperson for the WTTC stated: “Whilst Greece is already doing well in terms of the amount of market share it commands, (Greece has a 10% share of the Mediterranean tourism market), it could do far better given its natural assets and attributes”.

The WTTC cite issues such as governmental under-spending on the sector, bureaucracy, sub-standard facilities and restrictions on capital investment as having held the market back – and interestingly, these are exactly the same sort of issues that had held the property market back in Greece as well.

Steady Change of direction

Fortunately, in 2004 a Change of government and a total Change in political direction in Greece has resulted in a steady Change in direction - for the economy and for certain specific economic sectors in particular, such as tourism and real estate.  Everything from the high unemployment rates, heavy taxation levels and endless red tape are now changing for the better.

The current Minister of Tourism, Aris Spiliotopoulos Sees the promotion of Greece as an obligation, not a privilege.

In his speech at the official presentation of the new promotion campaign of Greece Abroad, he said: “My intention is to show the world that Greece has the same capacities, services and infrastructures as the rest of the developed countries in the European Union”.