Lyssandros Tsilides : Global enthusiasm for Greek plan to extend season

President of Travel & Tourist Agencies Hellenic Associations Federation (FEDΗΑΤΤΑ) Lyssandros Tsilides announces the Federation's absolute committment to promote all-year-round tourism in Greece through the dynamic "Dodeka" concept, in cooperation with all of the country’s forces towards this direction.

In an exclusive interview to TornosNews, Mr. Tsilides describes the "Dodeka" (Twelve) dynamic action plan that includes thematic and special interest activities and the promotion of less-known tourism destinations, aiming to enrich the tourism product and expand the season.

International toolbox

He also explains that "Dodeka " is to be used as a toolbox, not only by Greek tour operators and travel agents, but also by their international network and reveals that the action plan "has been communicated and has already received enthusiastic feedback by all tour operator and travel agencies associations abroad and their members." 

Finally, he exclaims that this action plan will be promoted in all tourism exhibitions and roadshows worldwide so that its communication will be ongoing and consistent, but also for it to take effect as soon as possible as an extra measure for the promotion of Greece worldwide.

The full text of Mr. Tsilides' interview to TornosNews is as follows:

• How do you evaluate the year of 2015 in terms of Greece’s tourism sector performance?

According to the figures that we have so far, it looks that for a third consecutive year, the total arrivals to Greece have reached new record level. 

We are expecting the official statistical reports so we can further analyze the various elements and impact to different destinations and sectors of our tourism industry. 

Undoubtedly, the industry is growing and is resilient both to the domestic problems and the international geopolitical situation.  

• What opportunities and pitfalls does 2016 present for our national tourism industry? 

During 2016 Greece might be influenced by the European and International issues that have arisen after the Paris incidents and we are following very closely the concerns of the European tourist industry.

So far, Greece has benefited from the unrest in other popular Mediterranean destinations, but we need to work harder and use this short term opportunity to maintain growth. We need to be competitive and explore all opportunities to attract new target groups. 

• After three consecutive years of growth, what prospects does the Greek tourism product have?

Tourism requires long term planning in order to continue growing. We need to continue building a very strong brand and offer a unique experience to our international guests. We need to increase the quality of our services in order to attract visitors of higher income and we definitely need to take specific actions to extend our seasonality and introduce the less visited and less popular destinations of our country. 

• How can Greece prolong the tourist season? What measures or initiatives are required and what prerequisites have to be met for this long awaited objective to be realized?

One of the main objectives of Greek tourism is the expansion of the tourist season in Greece. 

The Federation of Hellenic Associations of Travel & Tourist Agencies (FED HATTA) recently launched a dynamic concept to realize this objective: to establish all-year-round tourism in Greece with all of the country’s forces cooperating towards this direction.

We have already created the "Dodeka" (Twelve), a dynamic action plan that includes thematic and special interest activities and the promotion of less-known tourism destinations, which aims to enrich the tourism product and expand the season.

This is an innovative, sectoral initiative from which new tourism products will emerge for our country, which is something necessary in order to redefine Greece as a preferred destination for international tourists. The "Dodeka " action plan also marks the launch of FED HATTA’s initiatives and actions.

We aspire for the constantly enriched program of activities of "Dodeka " to be used as a toolbox, not only by Greek tour operators and travel agents, but also by their international network.

As it is known, travel agencies and tour operators, on an international level, are the producers and distributors of the tourism product and are principally engaged in composing individual tourist products as well as promoting, advertising and selling them.

Our action plan has been communicated and has already received enthusiastic feedback by all tour operator and travel agencies associations abroad and their members. "Dodeka " will outline the themes of upcoming familiarization trips of tourism and travel professionals.

Upon completion, the "Dodeka " action plan will be promoted by the Federation and its Members (Associations of travel agencies throughout Greece) and tourism professionals in all tourism exhibitions and roadshows worldwide so that its communication will be ongoing and consistent, but also for it to take effect as soon as possible as an extra measure for the promotion of Greece worldwide.

We invite you to see the presentation of the action plan here.  Please note that the presentation is being updated regularly.

FEDHATTA site www.hatta.gr