Elena Kountoura's interview to Tornos News: Strategic planning for 4 years, with a vision for Greece to become one of the five top destinations worldwide

Α Decrease font Enlarge font
Elena Kountoura's interview to Tornos News: Strategic planning for 4 years, with a vision for Greece to become one of the five top destinations worldwideAlternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, in an exclusive interview to Tornos News, underlines that the ministry's planning for the coming year does not have an opportunitic nature and is not aimed at temporary benefits, based on tourism problems

Geopolitical developments in our region form an unusual environment with a significant impact on tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean. Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, in an exclusive interview to Tornos News, underlines that the ministry's planning  for the coming year does not have an opportunitic nature and is not aimed at temporary benefits, based on tourism problems in competitor countries. Stability in peace and cooperation in the region, she says, is more beneficial to Greek tourism.

In the interview, Ms. Kountoura reveals that:

** The 2016 campaign promotes Greece as a globally attractive destination, enhances its image as a safe holiday resort and highlights its comparative advantages as a four-season vacation country.

** The campaign will be implemented around the axes of tourism season extension, thematic tourism development , and the emergence of new, unknown so far, destinations that can become widely popular in the international market.

** The Russian market is a strategic choice for Greek tourism. Therefore, communication and operational activities present a long-term target. The Greek-Russian Year of 2016 provides an opportunity for renewed interest of Russian tourists to Greece.

** A new framework for the development of alternative and thematic forms of tourism will be formed with the ministry establishing an independent Alternative Tourism Department .

 ** "Our vision", she states, "is to establish Greece as one of the top five global destinations by the implementation of our four-year strategic plan. We believe this objective to be perfectly attainable, with the cooperation and concurrence of the country's tourism community in this national effort."

The interview's full text follows:

Greek tourism achieved in 2015 a new record in arrivals and revenues, continuing growth for a third consecutive year. The new year comes with many geopolitical developments in our region and the terrorist attacks in Paris, shaping new data on the movement of tourists. Do you think that Greek tourism will emerge victorious through these developments?

- International concern about geopolitical developments in the region and emerging overseas bookings transfer trends for early 2016 prevent at this time safe estimates of the extent to which tourists flow to specific markets and regions will eventually be affected.

In planning for the new year, and despite the first positive messages about Greece, we remain vigilant considering the data as they are continuously formed, since tourism globally is a sensitive sector constantly influenced by international developments.

Our actions do not have an opportunistic character and are not aimed at temporary benefits that may arise from adversities concerning tourist arrivals in neighboring and competing countries. Stability in peace and cooperation in the region shall benefit tourism much more throughout Eastern Mediterranean and, hence, Greece, as well. But this does not mean of course undermining our potential to directly and continuously strengthen our penetration in all target markets and thereby draw tourists, who will consciously choose Greece as their first preference and not as an alternative, during subsequent years.

- What will be the philosophy of the campaign, to be developed by Greek National Tourism Organization in international markets during 2016?

- We build on the results of tourism policy we implemented intensively during the year and the success of 2015, a record year on the performance of Greek tourism, and we continue to target the quantitative and qualitative increase those figures.

The campaign of 2016 highlights Greece as a globally attractive destination, enhances its image as a safe destination, and emphasizes its comparative advantages as a destination for four seasons.

Throughout the campaign, we put emphasis on infinite choices and unique experiences that our guests can enjoy, because we offer a unique group of islands in the Mediterranean, we also have a great mainland and as a destination we can satisfy even the most demanding guests.

The campaign will be implemented around the axes of tourist season extension, thematic tourism development, and the emergence of new, hitherto unknown destinations abroad that we seek to become widely popular in the international market.

- There are many expectations for increased attraction of Russian tourists in 2016, after the events in Turkey and Egypt. Will the Greek National Tourism Organization organize a special campaign in Russia? Can the consular authorities of our country meet the increased demand for Russians traveling to Greece?

- Russia is a priority market for Greek tourism and by implementing the appropriate actions it can emerge in the long run as a stable and strong "visitor tank". Russians have proven that they love Greece and Greek people, our culture and history, our spiritual wealth.

In 2016, we estimate that interest of Russian tourists will be regenerated and since it has already been declared officially as the "Greek-Russian Year" we can improve tourism relations by multiple bilateral cultural and other events that we have planned across Greece.

Strengthening our presence in the Russian market through communication and operational activities is our strategic choice. At the same time, we will strengthen our cooperation with Russian tour operators and closing agreements to enhance tourist flow to our country in 2016.

Facilitating entry procedures in our country is of course an issue that concerns us particularly and already jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are working on all possible ways that will facilitate the rapid adoption of the new biometric visas from non-Schengen countries that constitute target markets. 

 

- What legislative interventions have you planned in tourism and when will they pass through Parliament?

In 2016, we will design and promote legislative measures for ski resorts and spas, thus setting the stage for improving respective tourism infrastructure. These two new initiatives are added to the recent interventions during the second half of 2015 for the establishment of functional specifications and licensing issues regarding mountaineering shelters and organized tourist camps (campsites).

At the same time, we shall shape the new framework for development of alternative and thematic forms of tourism in the country, and soon we will be able to announce the new enactments.

Our priority this year is to make critical changes in tourism education. We design a new and comprehensive framework that will come to restore long-term problems and shortcomings of the past, and will enhance and refine training programs of the country's human resources potential, which is the most emblematic face of Greek tourism. At the same time, we are preparing legislation that would give solutions to outstanding issues and needs of various sectors of the tourism market. These regulations together with additional announceable interventions will gradually be tabled during the year.

- How will you support the effort for 12-month tourism season, which, for years, has never become more than words...

- As I mentioned already, the new framework for development of alternative tourism in Greece is already being determined and this we believe will give significant impetus to attracting visitors during all four seasons and twelve months of the year. In this direction, goes our decision to form an independent Alternative Tourism Management Department at the ministry, concentrating on the promotion of short and medium-term thematic forms of tourism, cultural, religious, medical, thermal spring, rural, gastronomy and Mediterranean diet, conference, marine, athletes and coaches, winter and luxury, as well as city breaks.

We proceed already in agreements with foreign tour operators for season extension and advertise winter packages, tourism packages in Greek urban centers and programs of alternative forms of tourism in popular four-season, rising domestic destinations in the islands and the mainland.

In cooperation with the Regions and local communities, we shape specialized products and complex tourist packages which will be addressed to appropriate target markets, where we estimate that we will have the maximum response, through the Greek National Tourism Organization and our Promotion and Marketing Programme

Our vision is to establish Greece as one of the top five global destinations by the implementation of our four-year strategic plan. We believe this objective to be perfectly attainable, with the cooperation and concurrence of the country's tourism community in this national effort.

RELATED TOPICS: GreeceGreek tourism newsTourism in GreeceGreek islandsHotels in GreeceTravel to GreeceGreek destinations Greek travel marketGreek tourism statisticsGreek tourism report

Tornos
  1. 28/03 18:41

    Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups

  2. 28/03 17:32

    Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form

  3. 28/03 15:46

    Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network

  4. 28/03 14:44

    IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece

  5. 28/03 11:49

    IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects

  6. 26/03 23:51

    St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ

  7. 26/03 21:59

    PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination

  8. 26/03 17:56

    Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros

  9. 26/03 11:45

    Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council

  10. 23/03 17:43

    New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31

  11. 23/03 16:49

    Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend

  12. 23/03 16:47

    Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm

  13. 22/03 21:54

    US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever

  14. 22/03 19:51

    High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece

  15. 22/03 19:32

    Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece

  16. 22/03 14:19

    Greece to take part in Earth Hour on Saturday

  17. 22/03 00:24

    Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress

  18. 22/03 00:02

    Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle

  19. 21/03 22:41

    Greek Finance Ministry tightens Golden Visa rules

  20. 21/03 15:33

    Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens

  21. 20/03 22:48

    Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries

  22. 20/03 21:52

    Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens

  23. 20/03 21:44

    Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote

  24. 20/03 20:55

    Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance

  25. 20/03 18:01

    Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece

  26. 19/03 22:28

    President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens

  27. 19/03 20:57

    Greek Tourism Minιster meets Hellenic Chamber of Hotels

  28. 19/03 20:25

    FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy

  29. 19/03 11:15

    Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin

  30. 18/03 22:20

    American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President

  31. 16/03 13:01

    Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens

  32. 16/03 12:56

    Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto

  33. 16/03 11:28

    Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres

  34. 15/03 21:50

    Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania

  35. 15/03 13:45

    PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece

  36. 15/03 12:55

    Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation

  37. 14/03 23:43

    President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava

  38. 14/03 22:58

    American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024

  39. 14/03 22:52

    Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures

  40. 14/03 22:49

    US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki

  41. 14/03 22:43

    Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos

  42. 14/03 19:32

    No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time

  43. 14/03 18:36

    Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday

  44. 14/03 14:48

    HRADF eyes bidders for Lavrio Port majority share

  45. 14/03 12:54

    Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May

  46. 13/03 22:23

    Chairman: 2023 was an exceptional one for AEGEAN Airlines

  47. 13/03 20:11

    Prices of basic lenten products either lower or equal to last year's in Greece

  48. 13/03 19:15

    US Ambassador to Athens: Greece secures NATO readiness via Alexandroupolis

  49. 13/03 17:19

    Greece shines at 1st European Cruise Exhibition

  50. 13/03 12:26

    Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony

  51. 12/03 22:46

    Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’

  52. 12/03 21:38

    The President of the Hellenic Republic to visit Slovakia on March 13-15

  53. 12/03 20:29

    First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki

  54. 11/03 23:58

    Greek Foreign Minister: We stand behind Montenegro's European perspective

  55. 11/03 23:47

    Visa Express for Turkish citizens to commence on five Greek islands in March

  56. 11/03 19:40

    Amadeus acquires travel payments expert Voxel

  57. 11/03 18:49

    Microsoft Data Center construction kicks off in Spata next to Athens Airport

  58. 11/03 17:53

    Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece

  59. 09/03 22:23

    The future of travel planning is multimodal and interactive

  60. 08/03 14:27

    Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth

  61. 08/03 14:24

    Traffic restrictions expected in Athens mid-morning to evening on Friday due to protests

  62. 08/03 14:24

    Applications to out-of-court settlement more than doubled in Greece in February

  63. 08/03 13:18

    Metro station 'Maniatika' near Piraeus Port to be closed on Saturday and Sunday

  64. 07/03 14:12

    Athens wins World Travel Award 2024 as the top city-break destination in Europe

  65. 06/03 22:51

    WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals

  66. 06/03 20:28

    Greek Tourism Minister at ITB: 2024 will be another excellent year for sector

  67. 06/03 19:47

    Greek Foreign Minister to meet UAE Minister of Industry and Technology on Friday

  68. 06/03 18:43

    European Union actions of 274m euros to support cultural heritage in Greece

  69. 06/03 16:37

    'Odontotos' rack railway temporarily stopped until landslides issue is resolved

  70. 06/03 14:40

    Minister: Bringing about the return of Greeks abroad 'a moral duty'

  71. 05/03 14:28

    Archdiocese of America Eparchial Synod to meet on March 14-17 in Florida

  72. 05/03 14:21

    The 'Lent Basket' to be launched in Greece on March 13

  73. 05/03 14:11

    ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023

  74. 05/03 12:24

    Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'

  75. 04/03 22:02

    Greek Health Minister: Afternoon surgeries at state hospitals to begin shortly

  76. 04/03 21:47

    Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Whitestone Community marks 49th Anniversary

  77. 04/03 20:27

    Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025

  78. 04/03 19:44

    Foreign Ministry to organize event on 'Women, Peace, and Security' on Friday

  79. 04/03 15:12

    Athens Riviera | The summer experience with Athens as a background

  80. 29/02 22:54

    Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday

  81. 29/02 21:44

    Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation

  82. 29/02 21:30

    Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points

  83. 29/02 21:03

    Temple of Poseidon at Sounion near Athens to get new lighting system

  84. 29/02 21:02

    Greek Tourism Minister meets with Ambassador of Qatar

  85. 29/02 20:47

    Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition

  86. 29/02 19:58

    Greek government gives 1+1 month extension for cash register-integrated POS terminals

  87. 29/02 19:49

    Archangel Michael Church Dance Program shines at Folk Dance Festival in SF

  88. 29/02 15:39

    'Renovate-rent' programme to be launched, Minister tells Greek Parliament

  89. 29/02 12:39

    Rio-Antirrio ferry line in central Greece closed due to strong winds

  90. 28/02 21:34

    Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night

  91. 28/02 17:31

    CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe

  92. 28/02 17:04

    New Wyndham Hotels Market Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe

  93. 28/02 12:21

    Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024

  94. 28/02 11:57

    24-hour strikes halt trains and ferries in Greece

  95. 27/02 17:25

    UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists

  96. 27/02 15:00

    Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive

  97. 27/02 14:26

    Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world

  98. 27/02 13:15

    Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1

  99. 27/02 12:46

    Athens taxi drivers' protest rally in progress from Athinon avenue to Messogion

  100. 26/02 18:30

    Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April