ECONOMY

Avramopoulos in talks with IFTA officials, says gov’t is planning post-Olympic boost to tourism

Tourism Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said yesterday Greek tourism will enter «a new dynamic phase» after the Olympics, mainly by tapping the potential offered by the considerably improved infrastructure and image of the country. «The post-Olympic tourism landscape will not be left to its own devices as in the past. The government will implement programs based on a continuous study of the industry,» he said after meeting the president of the International Federation of Tourism Agents (IFTA), Martin Brackenbury, who is in Greece for the Olympics. Representatives of the industry attended the meeting. Brackenbury said that as president of IFTA he looks forward to «cooperating with the minister and his colleagues in order to make tourism the most important and vibrant sector of the Greek economy.» Avramopoulos said the new concept of Greek tourism would be based on three main pillars: culture, the environment and development. He committed himself to presenting his strategic plan for the future as soon as possible. «Mr Brackenbury has given us ideas and advice which are always welcome. We are looking forward for the cooperation we shall launch to be to the benefit of Greek tourism,» Avramopoulos said, adding that the talks also dealt with emerging tourism markets, especially those in the Far East. A meeting with representatives of international tour operators with Greek tourism entrepreneurs was arranged for November.

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